The family of Walter Nyakieya Nyamato, a Kenyan police inspector who died in the United States (US), revealed that they have been denied access to the probe by American authorities.
Speaking to the press on Friday, February 16, Nyamato’s close relatives said they have been left to rely on the government to respond to what really happened to their son.
Inspector Walter’s father said they are yet to understand what happened, adding that a relative in the United States could not gather anything after the American authorities took over the investigations.
American authorities also said that the autopsy results will be relayed to the Kenyan Embassy in Washington DC.
“I sent one of our relatives known as Wycliffe who stays in Minnesota. He was told that he can’t view the body and that the authorities will reveal all details about the post-mortem because the issue is a government to government one,” said the Father.
Walter was based at the Administration Police Headquarters as the personal assistant to Deputy Inspector General of police Noor Gabow.
Police officer dies in US
Prior to his demise, Walter had traveled to the US in the company of nine other officers on the evening of February 9.
“They were travelling to Haiti but as usual they have to pass through either New York or Washington D.C for a while before they proceed to Haiti,” his father noted.
However, the family was left in shock after receiving news that their kin was no more two days later.
Also Read: Questions as Senior Kenyan Police Officer Dies in US
According to the family, the group of 10 had dinner together and agreed to congregate early morning for a meeting before carrying on with their journey to the Caribbean Island nation.
Inspector Walter’s body could however later be found in his hotel room after failing to join his colleagues as agreed.
“When they opened the door, they gained access only to find my son lying on the bed with his face down,” added his father full of emotions.
The family further mourned the late inspector as a hardworking man who cooperated with the entire family and his village.
His father described him as a man of the people who was always willing to help whenever called upon by the family and village mates in Nyamira County.
Haiti mission
It is not yet clear what the Nyamato and his counterparts were going to do in Haiti.
Also Read: Ruto Reveals When Kenya Will Send Police to Haiti After Court Ruling
On his part, Deputy Inspector General of police Noor Gabow said the officers were attending a seminar in the United States on mission operations.
“He was attending a seminar in the US when he was found dead in his room. We will know more,” Gabow said in response to the Nyamato’s death.
The Police did not however specify the nature of the mission Nyamato and his team were in the US.
Reports about his death and links to the Haiti mission have since raised questions on whether or not the government was continuing with its preparations for the Haiti mission despite a court order declaring the plans unconstitutional.
In a ruling on a petition filed by Third way Alliance Leader Dr Ekuru Aukot, Justice Chacha Mwita Chacha ruled that the constitution of Kenya did not in any way envisage a scenario where the state would deploy police officers outside Kenyan boundaries.
However, the government vowed to appeal against the court order and the decision that declared the Mission unconstitutional.