EX-special branch officer explains how Robert Ouko was killed at State House

Robert Ouko murder mystery; EX-special branch officer explains how former minister Robert Ouko was killed at Nakuru State House.

This year, the family of the late Dr. Robert Ouko will commemorate the death of their kin in their homes in Nairobi, Koru, and Nyahera in Kisumu County, away from the glare of the cameras and the public.

The family says they have chosen to celebrate him “in our own ways in our homes.”

“We decided to remember him quietly in our homes. We still miss him. He was loving and kind to us, and the gap he left is still very huge and is being felt to date,” said Mr. Seda.

The family adds that they might never get justice for Dr. Ouko, who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the late President Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi’s cabinet and in President Jomo Kenyatta’s cabinet as the minister of Community Affairs.

And almost 33 years after his assassination, fresh details have emerged on how the diplomat was gruesomely murdered. 

Former Special Branch Officer James Khwatenge detailed how Ouko was reportedly shot to death by then-fellow Minister Nicholas Biwott in an NTV exposé.

On February 13, 1990, at three in the morning, Ouko was kidnapped from his house in Koru, close to Muhoroni.

Before the kidnapping, the former minister had sensed that all was not well and was planning to escape.

He was picked by armed men wearing military fatigues. Ouko reportedly attempted to escape but was hit on the leg. One of his workers said they heard him scream before the abductors drove away with him. 

Khwatenge said Ouko was delivered to State House Nakuru when he had been tortured already. 

At the house, the officer said the ex-minister was forced to kneel down. 

In front of him was former president Daniel Arap Moi and Biwott was standing on his left. 

Khwatenge narrated that Biwott asked Ouko to accept allegations that he was undermining Moi’s government and apologize to say he would never do it again. 

However, Ouko, in his defense, said he would never want anything bad for Moi as he was his sincere friend. 

Khwatenge said Biwott pretended to be infuriated by the diplomat’s response and shot him in the head, killing him on the spot. 

“Then Biwott pretended to be annoyed, took out a pistol, and shot Ouko in the head. 

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Immediately, he apologized to Moi saying Mzee, I am sorry, I was overtaken by emotions,” Khwatenge said. 

Four days after he was reported missing, Ouko’s charred remains were found still burning. 

A five-litre jerrican, a matchbox, pair of gumboots, a five-cell torch that was still switched on, a briefcase, a walking stick, and a jacket that had a pistol were found near his burning body. 

A narrative was spread that he had taken his own life, but it could not add up. 

Government pathologist Jason Kaviti had concluded suicide as the cause of Ouko’s death, but when the Scotland Yard detectives assessed the remains, they deduced he had been assassinated. 

All the suspects in the murder were released after 14 days except Jonah Anguka. 

Mr. Anguka was later charged with Ouko’s murder, but the trial ended following the death of justice Fidahussein Abdallah in November 1992. 

The first officer at Ouko’s murder scene was inspector Achesa Litabalia who was later followed and killed. 

For the family of the late Dr. Robert Ouko, the numerous anniversaries only remind them of the pain they have endured for more than three decades.

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