Details: DCI homicide detectives question Ruth Matete for hours over husband’s death

Gospel singer, Ruth Matete was yesterday, 21st April grilled by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ homicide unit following her husband’s demise.

Earlier on, she had on Friday, 17th April, recorded another statement with the DCI detectives on the same.

On Tuesday, officers from the DCI questioned Ms Matete for a good  six hours at their headquarters, after unclear circumstances surrounded the death of her late husband, Pastor Belovedjohn Apewajoye.

Ruth Matete with her friend at the DCI headquarters on 21st April

Investigations

Last week, the singer, in the company of homicide detectives, went to collect samples from her house in Athi River, Machakos county where the unfortunate incident had occurred.

They took away the said gas cylinder as an exhibit from the scene which has since been treated as a crime scene.

The homicide detectives are set to work alongside those at Athi River as they try to establish the facts surrounding the Nigerian pastor’s death.

The DCI take over Ruth Matete’s late husband’s case

Athi River police boss, Catherine Ringera divulged that this alliance was nothing new.

They are colleagues and it is meant to ensure no doubt left. After the autopsy, we will know the way forward.

A postmortem had been expected to be conducted yesterday, the 21st of April but has since been postponed to Thursday.

Parties of interest

Bellevue South Hospital – that was implicated for allegedly mishandling the deceased – said they will have an independent pathologist present during the examination.

An examination set to be conducted at the Kenyatta National Hospital mortuary in Nairobi.

Ruth Matete’s lawyer, Robert Odanga however stated that the hospital has a case to answer, despite distancing themselves from any previous incidences of neglecting their patients.

Ruth Matete with late hubby, Belovedjohn Apewajoye

Bellevue South hospital on the 17th of April had released a statement that reads in part:

Our emergency response unit has had the best outcomes in managing a good number of burn cases that have recovered tremendously and discharged from our hospital.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Embassy in Nairobi said they will rely on the findings from the DCI to determine the actual cause of Mr Apewajoye’s demise.

The Nation further indicated that any other parties that had interests in the case would as well be allowed to present independent pathologists.

About this writer:

Gloria Katunge