FBI risks being shut out of Kaiser inquest

Lucianne Limo

Nairobi

East African Standard, published March 5, 2007

An inquest into the death of Mill Hill Missionary Fr John Anthony Kaiser may close without the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) detectives giving evidence.

A Nairobi court has given the detectives from the United States spy agency until March 19 to appear before it and testify or risk being shut out.

The detectives were expected to take to the witness stand on Monday to defend their theory suggesting that the Catholic cleric committed suicide.

"An inquest, like all litigations, must come to a close. The court cannot wait indefinitely for these witnesses to come," Senior Principal Magistrate, Mrs Maureen Odero, warned.

The FBI agents expected to testify include the investigating officer, Mr William Corbett, behavioural analyst, Mr Thomas Neer and the chief medical examiner, Dr Vincent Di Maio.
State counsel, Mr James Mungai, told the magistrate that the detectives failed to attend the court due to another engagement elsewhere.

Lawyer Mbuthi Gathenji, for the Catholic Church, pleaded with the magistrate not to close the case until the FBI agents render their evidence.

Fr Kaiser was found dead at the Morendat junction on the Nakuru-Naivasha road on August 24, 2000.

Consequently, the FBI and CID were detailed to investigate the matter.

The Catholic Church has since rejected the FBI theory insisting that the missionary was killed.