DCI takes over probe into sudden death of Kariobangi North MCA Joel Munuve
Munuve, elected as an independent candidate in the 2022 General Elections, was known for his unwavering independence.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has officially taken over the investigation into the sudden death of Kariobangi North MCA Joel Munuve, who died shortly after collapsing outside a hospital along Kiambu Road earlier this week.
Lawyer Danstan Omari, speaking outside Lee Funeral Home where Munuve’s body is being preserved, said the MCA’s family, the political leadership, the government pathologist, and the DCI Homicide Unit held a joint meeting to chart the way forward. As a result, a planned post-mortem was postponed to allow forensic teams more time to collect crucial evidence.
“After a meeting between the family, the Homicide Unit of the DCI, and the late MCA’s political family, we agreed to have the autopsy postponed from today and be done tomorrow. Munuve was a public figure, and he was owned by many people. It is a public interest matter, and that’s why we agreed to follow the due process,” Omari stated.
He clarified that the post-mortem was not blocked by the family. Instead, it was agreed that detectives from the homicide unit would carry out a detailed forensic reconstruction and gather the evidence necessary to support the investigation.
Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai, a close friend of the late Munuve, said members of the Nairobi County Assembly are awaiting the outcome of the autopsy. He said the exercise must be transparent to maintain public trust and avoid speculation that may divide the community.
“The Assembly will be interested in the outcome of the autopsy, and we have agreed that it will be done transparently to ensure there is no doubt. We do not want death to cause disharmony in society,” he said.
With emotions running high following the sudden death of the MCA, the family has called for calm and patience. They urged the public and political figures to avoid spreading unverified claims about what might have caused Munuve’s death.
“We need complete silence on the cause of death speculations until the pathologist gives the scientific cause of his death. Let us not point fingers at anyone that there was any foul. For now, what we have confirmed is that the Honourable Member passed away, and he is now at Lee Funeral Home. The post-mortem shall be public, and we will all be informed,” Omari pleaded on behalf of the family.
The MCA was pronounced dead on arrival at the AAR Hospital along Kiambu Road around 10:30 am on Tuesday.
According to Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Kennedy Ngondi, Munuve’s passing came as a shock to many since no prior medical conditions were known.
Ngondi said the Assembly had not received any reports indicating the MCA had health issues and that his sudden death left members of the assembly deeply saddened and searching for answers.
As investigations get underway under the direction of the DCI, all eyes are now on the results of the autopsy, which could shed light on what led to the tragic death of the Kariobangi North representative.
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