African Press International (API)

By Korir, Chief Editor - api

Jeff Mwangi Kwirikia, whose daughter is singer Stella Mwangi based in Norway, was hit and killed by a vehicle on Tuesday the 31.january. He was going home from his work place.

The driver of the vehicle did not wait at the accident point. He disappeared from the scene of the accident. The police has been searching for him.

Today, Thursday the 2nd of February, the driver gave himself up to the police accompanied by his wife. The police questioned him, but gave little information on the case.

He may be put in police custody overnight and taken to court tomorrow where the police will most probably request the judge to place him in custody for 4 weeks while they investigate the case. If he accepts the responsibility – that he was the one who caused the accident, there may be no need to place him in custody that long. He will then be allowed to await trial at home.

This normally happens if the accused has permanent residence known to the court and the police and when the authorities believe the culprit will not cause himself to become a fugitive by escaping out the country. It is, however, not possible for any one involved in a criminal act to be allowed to be home awaiting trial if, or before important evidence has been secured by the police.

In this case, the police have seized the accident vehicle – which is important as evidence, and the man has confessed that he is the one who caused the accident. Therefore, there is no fear that he will interfere with any investigations that the police may wish carry out.

His lawyer has told the media that the reason why he disappeared from the scene of the accident was because he panicked. He has told the police, according to his lawyer, that on realising the deceased was in front of him he was unable to stop or swing away in order to avoid the accident.

The most disturbing thing about this accident is the driver’s behaviour. Choosing to disappear from the scene instead of calling for help cannot be forgiven.

His actions, immediately after the accident occurred, disappearing from the scene, hiding the vehicle and himself for two days is disheartening. There will always be speculations that the deceased’s live probably could have been saved had the driver called for the ambulance services immediately after the accident.

The offence committed can land the driver in jail between 3 to 6 years. He is a 39-year-old Norwegian man.

Jeff Mwangi Kwirikia, 54 years old, moved from Kenya in 1991 with his family to Norway where he was granted refugee status.

The main memorial service will take place in Ullensaker, not far from the Norwegian capital city, Oslo, on Friday the 10th of this month (February), if all goes as planned. Meanwhile, a decision has been taken to transport his body back to Kenya for burial.

For those who may not be able to travel to Ullensaker on Friday the 10th, there is opportunity this coming weekend on Sunday the 5th (February), to attend a memorial meeting at the Red Cross, Hausmans gata nr.7 in Oslo at 15.00.

African Press International sends condolences to the family and wishes them strength during this trying moment. May God be by their side and may the late Jeff Mwangi Kwirikia’s soul rest in peace.

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