Family Rules Out Poisoning in Lawyer Paul Gicheru's Death

The family of the late lawyer Paul Gicheru has ruled out poisoning as the cause of his death. 

Through their lawyer John Khaminwa, the family said an autopsy conducted on Gicheru’s body last week determined that the attorney was not poisoned.

“Investigators have ruled out poison, we wait now for an inquest to hear what will be said. There are other tests to be carried out but poison has been ruled out,” Khaminwa told Citizen Digital on Monday.

He disclosed that the deceased was suffering from diabetes and even though there will be a further probe, his death could be natural.

“According to the wife, Gicheru suffered from diabetes. When he went to bed after eating, and when the wife went to check on him she found that he was not in good condition, subsequently, he died. Under the law, there will be an inquest where we can hear more. So far as I am concerned the case is almost concluded that it was a natural death and not poison,” he said.

He further said that Gicheru’s son, who was admitted to hospital in critical condition, collapsed out of the shock of losing his father.

Gicheru, who was on trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC), was found dead at his Karen home on September 26th.

The 52-year-old had been charged with bribing witnesses in the collapsed case of President William Ruto and journalist Joshua Sang, who were both charged with fomenting ethnic violence after the disputed 2007 election in which 1,200 people died. 

He pleaded not guilty to eight counts of offenses against the administration of justice and was awaiting the verdict of The Hague-based court when he died. He was facing a maximum of five years in prison or a fine if convicted.

Gicheru was laid to rest at his Nakuru home on October 6th.