DJ Fatxo Faces Fresh Hurdle After Clearance In Jeff Mwathi Death

The 35 witnesses will be called to give more details regarding Mwathi's death, with the deceased's family represented by lawyer Danstan Omari.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Jun 8, 2023 - 12:34 Updated: Jun 8, 2023 - 12:35
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DJ Fatxo Faces Fresh Hurdle After Clearance In Jeff Mwathi Death
Side by side image of DJ Fatxo and the late Jeff Mwathi. /FACEBOOK.DJFATXO/TWITTER.FRANCIS MULI

The State on Thursday, June 8 announced that it will call a total of 35 witnesses to testify in an inquest into the mysterious death of the late Jeff Mwathi.

The matter was mentioned before Magistrate Zainab Abdul, who directed the investigating officer to provide the documents he will use in the inquest to the parties in the case.

The 35 witnesses will be called to give more details regarding Mwathi's death, with the deceased's family represented by lawyer Danstan Omari.

Investigating officer Clement Mwangi was directed by the court to serve all parties with the witness statements that will be used in the inquest, which is now set for August 10, 2023, when the first witness will take to the stand.

Collage of the late Geoffrey Mwathi and DJ Fatxo. /CITIZEN DIGITAL.FACEBOOK DJ FATXO

Mwangi also told the court that he received communication from the families of Christopher Wangombe and Geoffrey Wanyiki who are persons of interest in the case that they will also be getting advocates to represent them in the inquest.

Lawyer Omari told the court that Mwathi's family did not know why they were in court because they did not have in their possession the letter recommending charges.

“We are lost why we are here because my client was not supplied with the letter for the inquest,” Omari said

Abdul told the court that she received the file from the Chief Magistrate who allocated the inquest to her.

The late Jeff’s mother Anne Mwathi was present in court with other relatives on Thursday and revealed that the family has been in agony since the death of their kin.

"We have cried, we have suffered... but we believe there is God in Heaven. What I'd want is the government to take action on anyone that may be found guilty," she told the media.

The inquest is a fresh blow to popular Mugithi singer Lawrence Njuguna aka DJ Fatxo, represented by Lawyer Duncan Okatch, who will have to fight a new battle to clear his name weeks after he was cleared of murder charges in Mwathi's death.

The court ordered an inquest over the lack of sufficient evidence linking him to the probe of Mwathi's death. The application for a public inquest was made in court by the Director of Criminal Investigations that established no evidence linking DJ Fatxo to the murder.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) concurred with the decision allowing the court to set up an inquest. Fatxo's lawyer Duncan Okatch told journalists at Milimani Law Courts that thorough investigations were conducted but no evidence was found.

The lawyer further noted that his client was subjected to a DNA test and forensic experts did not find any link to the murder.

Detectives who worked around the clock since Mwathi's death at the home of DJ Fatxo had in April stated that there was no forensic evidence to suggest that the late interior designer was murdered.

However, Mwathi's mother, Anne Mwathi on Monday, May 8 raised issues with the DCI over its handling of the probe on her late son.

"When he was murdered they did not mark the house as a crime scene to prevent people from entering.

"They determined that my son committed suicide. Although I know my child did not kill himself," she claimed.

Fatxo on his part penned a public letter following his clearance, using it to make it clear that he was cleared of any charges preferred against him on the matter.

"I also want to take this opportunity to clear my name and to assure you all that I have been found not guilty after thorough investigations by the DCI detectives and the ODPP. While I am relieved to have this behind me, I know that there are still people who may be struggling with feelings of anger, frustration, and disappointment," he wrote in part.

DJ Fatxo speaking to the media on March 12, 2023. /K24 DIGITAL