The wife to the late John Mutinda, a man who died at the Likoni Channel on Saturday, December 7, has refuted claims by government spokesperson Cyrus Oguna, that her husband had episodes of mental illnesses that led to his death.
In an interview conducted by K24 Digital on Tuesday, December 10 at her home in Vanga Estate, Likoni, Rose Mueni dismissed claims by Oguna, arguing that her husband was not suicidal.
The government spokesperson, on Saturday, urged the public to look after those close to them, adding that Mutinda's life could have probably been saved.
"While at home and at our businesses, let's try and look after our colleagues and our neighbours. In case they show mental related problems, let us report to the relevant authorities so that measures can be taken. Probably, if the right channel was used, Mutinda could still be alive," Oguna stated.
Mueni questioned Oguna's allegations, citing that he had not accessed Mutinda's medical history.
"What information did he rely on to arrive at that conclusion? While at the Kenya Ferry Services headquarters [on Saturday], he never even said a word to me. Who is the source of his claim that my spouse was mentally disturbed?" she questioned.
She went ahead and requested investigators to conduct an independent probe.
The deceased drowned at 4.20 am after speeding into the Indian Ocean despite efforts by Kenya Ferry Services officials to stop him.
Ms Mueni narrated that Mutinda had dreamt about receiving a phone call from his late father, who instructed him to drive to Kitui Central, where they would meet.
She hid the car keys and asked him to pray along with her. She gave them back to him after he insisted, noting that the gate was locked. Mutinda's wife added that her husband used his spare keys to open the gate and drove off.
“Until that day, my husband had never exhibited traits of violence. Realising that he was getting abnormally angry, I handed over the ignition key to him," she stated.
The mother of three has urged the Kenya Ferry Services management to erect a barrier a few meters to the ramp to avoid further incidences.
Mombasa County Commissioner Gilbert Gitiyo stated that investigations into the death had begun.
