James Mutiso had been elected as Yatta MP during the 2002 general elections but died on April 30, 2003, barely four months after.
The MP and two others died after the vehicle they were travelling in, a taxi hired by the MP, was swept away by raging floods after it stalled in the middle of the Ting'ang'a bridge on Mbakoni River.
Among those who died when the car plunged into the river was a woman healer who has also described as a specialist in traditional Kamba dishes a role she was to play in the planned victory party for the MP that was scheduled the next day.
Her presence in the vehicle brought very high speculation especially after suspected witchcraft paraphernalia found near where he and two other people drowned.
"These are some of the wonders of the world. It is difficult to speculate the meaning behind all this," the officer exclaimed at the scene.
The then Machakos Councillor Nashon Kinyua and a young man said to be the healer's assistant survived the accident.
The car was found badly smashed and lying upside down about 50metres from the bridge.
Among superstitious villagers, the discovery of the witchcraft material is being cited as proof that evil spirits had been "unleashed" to destroy their MP.
"In Ukambani, such things don't just happen. The vehicle stalled mid-stream and now witchcraft tools are found around the scene. There is something fishy here," stated Sebastian Mutua from Katangi, firmly dismissing suggestions the incident might be a normal rainy season accident.
The Daily Nation from Saturday, May 3, 2003, reported that top police officers ordered that the discovery not be made public.
