(Coast page story 1) Family seeks answers in mysterious death of son in Diani

When James Obura received a call from his 33-year-old son Kennedy Olilo on November 1, 2023, he thought it was just a routine conversation.

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Olilo was informing him about a wedding in Diani, Kwale county, which he was to attend as the best man on November 3.

Obura did not know that this would be the last time he spoke to his son. On November 5, he learnt from Olilo’s younger brother, Moses, that Olilo had died under mysterious circumstances.

Moses had first been contacted by the groom, who claimed Olilo had passed away, prompting him to break the news to their parents.

On Monday, Moses testified before Mombasa senior resident magistrate David Odhiambo that he arrived at the house in Mvindeni and found Olilo’s body in the bathroom, with blood on the floor and walls, and visible injuries on his chest and elbow.

Obura, who also testified, described his shock at seeing his son’s body and confirmed that it was indeed Olilo.

He expressed concern over discrepancies in the handling of the case, saying investigations by Diani police and later the Coast regional police were unsatisfactory, prompting the Homicide department in Nairobi to take over.

The family’s private investigation revealed further anomalies, including that the wedding Olilo was allegedly attending had not yet taken place and only took place the following year in January.

Obura questioned why Olilo had been misled about the wedding date and sought answers about the circumstances that led to his son’s death.

Moses described Olilo as jovial, social and measured in his habits.

“I want to know what happened to my brother. What caused his death. I just want justice,” he told the court.

Magistrate Odhiambo adjourned the public inquest to September 1, giving investigators more time to examine the events leading to Olilo’s untimely death.