Bungona senator Moses Wetangula. Photo/Elkana Jacob
The First 48 is an American documentary television series on the A&E Channel. It is filmed in various cities in the United States and focuses on real life experiences of homicide investigators.
Investigations may go on for months but the real focus is on the first 48 hours, hence the title. It shows how detectives use forensic evidence, witness interviews and other skills to catch the culprits. If you mess up the first 48 hours, the investigation is dead on arrival.
Back in Kenya a similar new show just premiered. For starters, the show is called “The Billboard assassination.” It features a high profile politician who believes his opponents are out to assassinate him by any means necessary, four years to the next election. The star of the show is a former powerful politician who seems to have found a new career as a “forensic expert.”
Like any other show, “The Billboard Assassination” has a supporting cast comprising junior “forensic experts” and extras to cheer them along.
The only difference between “The First 48” and “The Billboard Assassination” is that one is based on real experiences while the other is pure fiction.
The recent allegations of an attempted assassination of Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula initially convinced many that Kenya was treading on an extremely dangerous path.
The allegations were timely considering the recent spate of attacks in the city and insecurity in Marsabit and elsewhere. Many were convinced that by virtue of their leadership positions, the senate minority leader Moses Wetangula and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga could not make reckless allegations on such a serious issue.
The two are adamant that there was an attempt on Wetangula’s life. The fact that the Kenya police are known for shoddy investigations gave credence to the allegations for more than 498 hours.
As a former activist in Kenya I do not take assassination claims lightly because I have seen friends die after claiming their lives were in danger.
I have always treated Kenya police reports suspiciously when it comes to cases of extra judicial executions and political assassinations.
However, in Wetangula’s case the police report seems more credible than that of the alleged victims. The police are more factual as they give a logical sequence of what might have happened.
A cursory look at the images of the car clearly shows that the scrapes and little dents are a result of some form of collision. To convince myself that the images shown on TV resulted from a collision, I took a closer look at my car which was recently scratched by my neighbor in the parking lot.
Unsurprisingly, the dent on the bumper and side of my car is exactly the same as the one on Mr. Wetangula’s car. This is not rocket science.
Even as the police, Jubilee and CORD politicians made accusations and counter accusations the authenticity of the assassination claims were getting iffy. My doubts were compounded by ODM leader Raila Odinga on Sunday when he appeared on TV pointing at the alleged “bullet” holes on Wetangula’s car.
Raila used the stair ladder to climb up and point at the huge scratch on top of the car. He looked like a meticulous “forensic expert” trying to get to the bottom of the matter. Unfortunately his logic was bizarre.
Clearly, there is paint from whatever hit Wetangula’s car. Common sense dictates that a bullet would leave some rusty brownish color on the surface of its target.
This seems different. Further bullets do not slide on cars. Instead they rip holes through the body of the car. Or maybe Wetangula’s car is like Obama’s armored “beast” which is made to deflect bullets and a chemical attack.
Third, was the alleged shooter hanging somewhere in the air in the middle of the road to be able to shoot at the roof of the car? Where are the spent cartridges?
Why was Raila, a 69 year old first at the scene of crime at almost midnight on a Friday? Kenyan roads are usually busy at 11PM on Friday nights. How come there were no other motorists to corroborate Wetangula’s claims?
Why is Kalonzo not with other CORD co-principals as the theater unfolds? Something does not add up.
Every Kenyan has a right to police protection. However, I do not understand the complaint that there were no senior police officers to receive the two politicians when they went to report the “attack.” Was this supposed to be a state function? Baseless allegations by politicians will only help paint Kenya as an unsafe destination.
Leaders seeking national office cannot always incite people with half-truths. Have people ran out of ideas. Could this be Wetangula’s poisoned chalice for declaring his 2017 ambitions?
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