For Ouko widow, a case of justice denied

[dropcap]S[/dropcap]he was brought to limelight by her elite husband, Dr Robert Ouko, who was assassinated on February 13th, 1990. She has lived in agony for more than 27 years, not knowing the real killer(s) of her husband, and if at all she knew them, justice was never delivered. It is now not a case of justice delayed, but justice denied.

Christabel Ouko, the widow of former Foreign Affairs Minister Robert Ouko, died last evening in road crash along the Awasi-Kericho Highway in Kisumu County, at the age of 76. Coincidentally, it was the same area where her late husband, Dr Ouko, had an accident a few days before he was assassinated.

Very few Kenyans knew about her, let alone knowing her name despite being the wife to a very prominent Kenyan both locally and internationally. Only the internet records that she dropped out of campus to get married to Dr Ouko in 1966.

The standard reports that Mrs Ouko studied at Ng’iya Girls High School for intermediate school (Standard Five to Eight) after which she joined Butere Girls’ for her O-levels. She proceeded to Alliance Girls’ High School and later to the University of Nairobi where she was admitted to read English and Geography in the Faculty of Arts but dropped later to get married.

ALSO SEE: Raphael Tuju, the nex Luo kingpin?

Mrs Ouko joined the civil service as a tax officer with the East African Community in Arusha and later became an immigration officer before resigning to join Dr Ouko who was appointed head of the East African Community.

Successive governments have failed or chose not to find out the real killers of the Foreign Affairs minister, whose assassination has variously been linked to a fallout with then President Moi during a tour of the US, corruption and the ownership Kisumu molasses plant.

Various personalities ranging from the late Cabinet minister Nicholas Biwott, Ouko’s PS, the late Bethuel Kiplagat to former powerful Internal Security PS, the late Hezekiah Oyugi were fingered as the masterminds, but the truth never came out.

Attempts by Scotland Yard detective John Troon to unravel the mystery surrounding the death were frustrated.

A Commission of Inquiry led by Justice Evan Gicheru similarly hit a dead end.

With time, as key witnesses died one by one, Mrs Ouko chose lead a silent village life with her seven children. She let bygones be bygones, not bothering herself much with knowing the real killers of her husband even suggesting she can serve them tea in her house if they confess.

RelatedWhy Nicholas Biwott was a real Total Man

In 2004, she refused to partake in the investigations towards the death of her husband with the Erick Gor Sungu-led Parliamentary Select Committee, fearing for her life. “You know very well that those who did it are still alive and I would not like to talk about it for obvious reasons,” she said, as quoted by People Daily.

Instead of committing herself to seek justice, she opted to start projects that would ensure that her husband’s name is remembered by generations to come.

READ: The journalist who ruined ODM party in Coast

In one of her endeavours, she started the Dr Robert Ouko Memorial Library. In recognition to her efforts, the Maktaba Awards recognised Dr Robert Ouko Memorial Library as the best community library in 2015, a year later after its inception.

In a statement, President Uhuru Kenyatta termed Mrs Ouko as a dedicated family woman and a patriot. “During her long life, she distinguished herself by her dedication to her family, her community and her country. She served as a civil servant and then supported her husband as he too served Kenya with distinction,” said President Kenyatta.

Latest

Navigating Forex Markets: The Top 10 Forex Brokers of 2023

Selecting the right broker from the top 10 forex brokers of 2023 can significantly impact your trading success.

Whipped and Stripped! A Survivor’s Tale of Harrowing Brutality in a Mental Hospital

The lack of a long-term vision and inadequate resourcing of mental hospital infrastructures continues to take a toll on Kenya’s mentally ill patients.

Dubai Agency Picks Top Influencer Marketers to Lead Kenyan Operation

This strategic move is in line with indaHash vision to cement its presence in Africa, following its impactful footprint in South Africa since 2017 and successful collaborations with clients like the South African Tourism Board.

SportPesa to reward Customers in Cash-Filled Festive Promotion

Running from December 4th to 25th, the SportPesa campaign promises daily excitement with six lucky winners expected to walk away with Ksh5,000 daily.

Follow Us

Newsletter

Don't miss

Tusker Oktobafest Rolls East African Cultures into One

From regional events across Kenya to inaugural gatherings in Uganda and Tanzania, and the Tusker Oktobafest grand finale in Nairobi, the festival harmonized traditions, celebrated diversity, and highlighted the rich cultural tapestry of the East African culture

Lupita’s Little Brother Junior Nyong’o Charting His Own Path in Acting

Junior Nyongó, who is also a musician and a DJ and now a graduate of UC San Diego with an MFA in Acting, is crafting his own solid path in the world of acting with roles in major theatre productions.

Safaricom To Power Tusker OktobaFest Beer Festival

Safaricom’s involvement in OktobaFest as a technology and payments partner will focus on fostering seamless in-festival connectivity, empowering the youth and Gen Z community through Safaricom Hook, and powering digital payments through M-PESA.

Music Producers Launch Organization To Streamline Recording Industry

Recording Industry of Kenya (RIKE) was launched on 9th October 2023. Registered in 2022 as a not-for-profit organization, RIKE aims to promote the collective interests of producers of sound recordings in the country.

Nairobi’s Hero Bar Listed Among World’s 50 Best Bars

World Best Bars: Hero Bar in Nairobi continues to climb the list, moving up six places to No.62 and Johannesburg’s Sin + Tax comes in at No.94. Dubai new entry Ergo is at No.69 and Melbourne’s Byrdi has re-entered the list at No.61.

Kenyan DJs Face Off In Smirnoff Battle Of The Beats Season 3

The Smirnoff Battle of the Beats Season 3, a DJ competition, is poised to unleash an unprecedented musical frenzy countrywide.

The Highs And Lows Of Betty Kyallo, Sisters Show As Season 2 Ends

Kyallo Kulture has always been, above all, about sisterhood, and in Season 2 we have witnessed the charm of it - the ups that gave us wholesome moments as the sisters led by Betty Kyallo spent time together.

DStv Beats CNN, BBC To Become Most Admired Media Outlet In Africa

DStv, MultiChoice Group’s leading broadcast service, has been named...

MultiChoice Revises Subscription Fees For DStv, GOtv

MultiChoice has announced price adjustments on some of their...

Octopizzo: How I Make My Money

"I've been doing this for 12, 13 years. It reaches a point where you no longer need to prove that you can make a hit record," he stated.
FRANCIS MULI
FRANCIS MULIhttp://www.businesstoday.co.ke
Editor and writer, Francis Muli has a passion for human interest stories. He holds a BSc in Communication and Journalism from Moi University and has worked for various organisations including Kenya Television Service. Email:[email protected]

Navigating Forex Markets: The Top 10 Forex Brokers of 2023

Selecting the right broker from the top 10 forex brokers of 2023 can significantly impact your trading success.

Whipped and Stripped! A Survivor’s Tale of Harrowing Brutality in a Mental Hospital

The lack of a long-term vision and inadequate resourcing of mental hospital infrastructures continues to take a toll on Kenya’s mentally ill patients.

Dubai Agency Picks Top Influencer Marketers to Lead Kenyan Operation

This strategic move is in line with indaHash vision to cement its presence in Africa, following its impactful footprint in South Africa since 2017 and successful collaborations with clients like the South African Tourism Board.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here