How Call Data Exposed Kilifi Deputy Governor's Killers

In the early hours of December 12, 2018, a violent home invasion at the Nyali residence of former Kilifi deputy governor Kenneth Kamto resulted in his tragic death.

The incident occurred as Kamto returned from his engagements, where he was ambushed by masked intruders who not only stole valuables but also fatally shot him. Initially, law enforcement faced significant challenges in the investigation, which seemed to lack promising leads. However, a significant breakthrough emerged through the efforts of Chief Inspector Raphael Wanjohi and his team.

The recovery of a Swiss Plus One mobile phone, taken during the intrusion from Kamto’s house help, Uchi Zuma Mkaha, became central to the investigation. This device ultimately facilitated the arrest of six individuals connected to the crime. The suspects identified—Julius Gitonga, Joseph Amwayi Mukabana, Florence Mbithe Mwanza, Joseph Shoi Chege, Clementina Nerima, and Muasya Kiteme—were tracked through call data records associated with the stolen phone.

Investigators followed the phone’s usage, which was first traced to Chege, creating a trajectory that led to the identification and apprehension of additional suspects. Analyzing the call records from the victims further enabled detectives to trace the phone’s International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) history, revealing critical connections among the suspects. In a follow-up investigation, police conducted a raid on a property in Kwa Bullo, where they discovered mobile phones belonging to Kamto, his widow Fawzia Dear Omar, and Uchi.

Additionally, a firearm believed to have been used in Kamto’s murder was recovered. The call data records indicated ongoing communications among the suspects, confirming their presence at the crime scene during the incident. As the case progressed through the judicial system, Gitonga and Mukabana faced serious charges, including the murder and robbery of Kamto.

Mwanza was charged with possession of stolen property and a loaded firearm, while Chege and Nerima were acquitted in 2023 due to insufficient evidence against them. In a significant ruling, Senior Principal Magistrate Yussuf Shikanda found Gitonga and Mukabana guilty of robbery with violence, based on substantial evidence including call logs and forensic analysis. The magistrate concluded that Gitonga had shot Kamto, meeting the legal criteria for the robbery offence.

Consequently, both Gitonga and Mukabana were convicted on multiple counts, while Mwanza was acquitted. Kiteme, who served as a prosecution witness, provided critical testimony detailing the coordinated nature of the crime. His account, supported by call logs, effectively placed the suspects at the crime scene, bolstering the case against them. Forensic evidence, including blood samples from Kamto, further corroborated the involvement of one of the suspects.