More Details Emerge About Tuju’s Wife’s Lover; He Was Threatened

Until he was found dead in a house belonging to former Minister Raphael Tuju, in Nairobi’s Upper Hill area Tuesday morning, Tony Ogunda was in good health… but he had become addicted to alcohol in the recent past. According to his lawyer, Cliff Ombeta, Ogunda sometimes attended court sessions while drunk.

The Daily Nation reports that Ogunda’s frustration stemmed from the death threats he had been receiving. His lawyer describes him client as a likeable character who did not like being in the limelight. Ogunda was in the process of divorcing his wife over his alleged affair with Tuju ex-wife, Ruth Akinyi.

“He has two kids and was supporting them. He used to pay their rent and other family expenses,” Mr Ombeta said.

The two came to know each other well in 2008 when Mr Ombeta was representing Ogunda in a fraud case at Makadara law courts. Soon after they met, and because of the fraud case against him, Ogunda quit the police force where he was serving as a constable. Tuju later incorporated him in his campaign team when he, Tuju, declared interest in the presidency on Party of Action (Poa) ticket last year.

According to Ombeta, it is during this period that Ogunda met and fell in love with Ms Akinyi. The two started having an affair, prompting the presidential aspirant to file for divorce. Ogunda’s wife also filed a divorce suit.

“In fact, Tuju had asked Ogunda’s wife to be part of the witnesses in his divorce suit,” Mr Ombeta said.

Before Ogunda died, Ombeta had warned him against excessive drinking.

“He was with Cosmas (in whose house Ogunda died) in a local bar until 1am,” said Mr Ombeta.

But he said he did not know the cause of death.

“I will wait for the postmortem report to know what happened,” he said.