The Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek) has issued a statement saying the government and the National Police Service (NPSC) cannot be trusted with investigations on the killing.
In the statement issued on Friday, Cofek Secretary General Stephen Mutoro said, “We are saddened by the killing of Nairobi businessman Jacob Juma by unknown assailants. Our deepest condolences to family and friends.”
The statement added that Juma has been very critical of the government especially on Deputy President William Ruto, former Mining Minister Najib Balala and Treasury over the Eurobond saga.
“Politically, he has been leaning towards the opposition,” the statement said.
Mutoro urged that politicians must not use the unfortunate killing to settle political scores by fuelling unnecessary public emotions.
He added that only the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and independent international investigators including but not limited to FBI should be called in to conduct the investigations.
“It is in the interest of the Jubilee Administration not to be associated with the unfortunate killing. The least the government can do, therefore, is to empathise with the bereaved family and Kenyans at large. Fundamentally, the government must show that it possibly has nothing to hide on the killing,” he added.
The statement also called on Kenyans on social media to avoid speculation and diversionary misinformation including but not limited to futile attempts of linking a ‘hapless journalist’ to the killing.
“We are hoping that senior government officers will cooperate with investigators and avoid issuing statements which will undermine the investigations
Juma was equally involved in controversial land deals and claims amounting to Sh500M at the National Cereals Procduce Board (NCPB).
Incidentally, Juma has since January 27, 2016 been complaining about potential assassination and Cofek says NPSC has done little or possibly nothing to protect him.
The statement concluded, “Eventually, he has been killed in the manner which confirms his fears while he lived. In the absence of any credible finding, the public would obviously believe his version.”