The family of John Mutinda, 46, whose body was retrieved from the Indian Ocean at Likoni Channel spoke out after his death, following reports that he had an argument with his wife in the wee hours of Saturday morning, December 7, 2019.
The deceased drowned at 4:20 am after speeding into the Indian Ocean despite efforts by Kenya Ferry Services officials to stop him.
KTN was first to report that Mutinda hastily left the house, without wearing a shirt, and drove to the channel.
"We received the news in the morning that the body had been retrieved. We have not seen it yet, therefore, we cannot release a full statement.
"The wife can't also speak at the moment until we view the body. However, before he left, he informed his wife that he had been called. She followed him only to find out that he had left.
"I was informed of his death in the morning by Reverend Paul Rugut, our pastor. It was then that I rushed to the scene," Bernard Sila, the family spokesperson, stated as the deceased's wife stood alongside him.
His wife, Ruth Mueni, informed K24 TV that Mutinda told her that he dreamt receiving a phone call from his late father who instructed him to drive to Mombasa CBD, where they would meet. Mueni added that she hid the car keys and asked him to pray along with her, to which declined and search for the keys, found them and drove off.
She denied claims that the two had any wrangles, stating that she never had a fight with her husband that could push him to his death.
Mutinda hailed from Kitui but resided with his wife and twin sons in Likoni.
Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho swiftly responded after the tragedy, stating that he had deployed a team from the county to collaborate with the multi-agency rescue team in conducting the operation.
The incident happened barely three months after the tragic September 29, Likoni incident which saw Mariam Kighenda and her 4-year-old daughter Amanda Mutheu plunge to their death.
