Is There a Mafia Link to Kasuku's Murder?

[Onyango Oloo]

demokrasia-kenya.blogspot.com/2012/11/is-there-mafia-link-to-kasukus-murder.html

[Onyango Oloo]

I have corrected a few minor typos and grammatical errors and added one photo. Reload if you had read this blog piece before...

OO

Nairobi, Monday, November 19, 2012 @ 21:47 East African Time.

[phil]

This is an interesting read.

I do not trust lawyers! Now that Kasuku is dead, I do not believe it is necessary to hide the ID of the "prominent human rights lawyer" and it may help other potential victims if he/she is exposed now. Human rights activists whilst suppressing the rights of a desperate ailing widow and then seemingly abetting her disinheritance? Sheesh! That sounds like a conman rather than a human rights lawyer.

And the other lawyer the one who Kasuku had been seeking is he "Michael Owuor" as shown on Kasuku's correspondence to you, or is he "Tom Owuor" as revealed by you after meeting the NSIS contact?

To me, this does not seem the professional work of some mafia outfit. The method used in disposing the corpse is amateurish. The killers knew her disappearance would raise concern and they clearly had a motive.

I am looking forward to following the trial of these murderers in court. I am no supporter of the death sentence but on this one, I am willing to make an exception!

[moesha]

Nov 19, 2012 22:26:49 GMT 3 phil said:

This is an interesting read.

I do not trust lawyers! Now that Kasuku is dead, I do not believe it is necessary to hide the ID of the "prominent human rights lawyer" and it may help other potential victims if he/she is exposed now. Human rights activists whilst suppressing the rights of a desperate ailing widow and then seemingly abetting her disinheritance? Sheesh! That sounds like a conman rather than a human rights lawyer.

And the other lawyer the one who Kasuku had been seeking is he "Michael Owuor" as shown on Kasuku's correspondence to you, or is he "Tom Owuor" as revealed by you after meeting the NSIS contact?

To me, this does not seem the professional work of some mafia outfit. The method used in disposing the corpse is amateurish. The killers knew her disappearance would raise concern and they clearly had a motive.

I am looking forward to following the trial of these murderers in court. I am no supporter of the death sentence but on this one, I am willing to make an exception!

phil

Good questions. The Mafia connection seema bit far fetched. The club owners, managers, stepsons and employees have to answer to the police who killed this woman. As for the "human rights Lawyer", what else whas he/she doing for the lady that would cost a whooping KSH 700,000? Seems a tad bit opportunistic........ I didnt know retrieving a mere file would cost that much.

[einstein]

Now, this is my brother OO talking. This sort of engagement is the reason I followed OO to Jukwaa many years back. I pray that OO keeps it up!

OO, I have not had time to read and internalise your post in its entirety. I will get back to you as soon as I have done my homework!!

[OtishOtish]

Nov 19, 2012 20:12:54 GMT 3 Onyango Oloo said:

demokrasia-kenya.blogspot.com/2012/11/is-there-mafia-link-to-kasukus-murder.html

Good work, Comrade Oloo. Please keep us posted.

[foresight]

OO said ”The killing of Lillian Mwikali Andree aka Kasuku must be seen within the wider context of the presence of members of the dreaded Italian Mafia in the resort town of Malindi”

I agree and indeed persuaded that the Mafia influence, albeit amateurish, exists and cannot be ruled out in the killing of Mwikali Andree aka Kasuku, well atleast when one looks at it within the wider context..

Mafia expert Federico Varese, author of Mafias on the Move: [How Organized Crime Conquers New Territories] stated in one article published in the Atlantic "quote" - “East Africa is just emerging as a criminal hub”

He suggests that Malindi would provide an ideal environment for another chief mafia revenue generator: money laundering. "Traditionally, there is a lot of Italian tourism in Malindi," says Varese. "[Criminal networks] need to invest in profitable businesses, many times abroad. They do it in communities that they know ... where they have friends and shady financial advisors."

"I don't want to generalize but I'd have to say most of the Italians in Malindi are involved in drugs or the sex industry, and when they leave there, they leave their footprints. Lives are ruined."

Mafia or NOT may JUSTICE prevail.

www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/07/kenyans-see-the-italian-mafias-hand-in-worsening-drug-trade/260508/

[reporter911]

Nov 19, 2012 21:47:22 GMT 3 Onyango Oloo said:

I have corrected a few minor typos and grammatical errors and added one photo. Reload if you had read this blog piece before...

OO

Nairobi, Monday, November 19, 2012 @ 21:47 East African Time.

Good work Oloo, did you attach all your email correspondence with Kasuku to the letter you are sending out to all, this is very Key.. they too should read the path of Kasuku's strangle to regain her property from when sh started with the Human rights Lawyer from Kisumu to her agreement with the Sail Club owner to co-run the business just before she was murdered..

As for the people involved with the case.. especially the human rights lawyer you have approached.. please give jukwaa members this lawyers details.. post them on here..( some might have some tips for him/her).. Meanwhile members need to continue asking pointed questions.. As for the mafia connection it does not jell... If it were a mafia hit.. she would have disappeared for good.( as some of mafia horror stories we all read about in the media) . this seems to be home grown and Kenyan must demand justice for Lillian Mwikali Andree.. "Kasuku" known to all members on Jukwaa..
JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED)

By the way why are the Mombasa courts refusing to give time to the police to conduct investigations.. can jukwaa Members sign a petition letter to that Mombasa judge to demand an explanation why he is obstructing justice? this is very URGENT!!

[reporter911]

THIS WHAT OLOO WAS POINTING OUT IN HIS BLOG! MALINDI MAFIA AND IF INDEED THERE IS A CONNECTION TO LILLIAN MWIKALI ANDREE "KASUKU' HORRIFIC MURDER

How Italian Mafia gained control of Malindi
Updated Tuesday, July 3 2012 at 00:00 GMT+3
By PAUL GITAU

Those who have always suspected that Malindi has become an extension of the Italian region of Sicily have even greater reason to worry.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) says it has evidence that the coastal town is firmly in the grip of the Italian Mafia, which controls and compromises the administration of justice.


It is generally easy for international criminals to hide in Africa because of its weak law enforcement systems and porous borders but Mr Mutua says the case of Malindi is one of the worst.

He says for a long time the Italian Mafia has had immense influence over the security apparatus and judicial system in Malindi, enabling “a climate of impunity” to hold sway.

“They have taken full control of Malindi. They are in control of police, courts and lawyers,” he told The County Weekly in an interview.

“Malindi is controlled by foreigners. They have established a club of impunity. The town is full of foreign thieves and it is very easy for anyone to come and stay here,” added Mr Mutua.

But coast police boss Aggrey Adoli dismisses the allegations by the LSK boss saying police have arrested many criminals who have been hiding in Malindi and other coastal towns.

The police boss, however, admits that because of the huge tourism industry, Malindi has been a magnate for European fraudsters, many of whom sneak in as tourists and stay on.
“Some come as tourists or to attend weddings and eventually find their way into the country,” he told The County Weekly.

Malindi-based government officials, lawyers and local residents have been unwilling to speak about the issue with our journalists as though they were sworn to a code of silence.

Well-placed sources say most of the criminals who have turned Malindi into their hideout come from Italy, Germany and eastern European countries and the majority engage in drug trafficking.

But there is also growing concern about criminals arriving at the Kenyan coast from Pakistan, Ethiopia and West Africa to engage in drug trade, pimping, gambling and other criminal activities.

Besides engaging in the international drugs trade, many of the Westerners also commit forgery including faking their own deaths to avoid detection.

The County Weekly has seen a list of Western Europeans caught with narcotics and although official records indicate that some are serving jail terms, it is not clear whether they are actually in custody.

Some of those named in the list are believed to have visited the Coast and hidden there for years benefiting from police and other local patronage.


They include Joachim Mosser, an Austrian charged in 2007 with possessing two kilogrammes of cocaine. Records show he is serving 20 years. In 2003 an Italian, De Sio Ciro was found with 5.639 kilogrammes of heroin and was jailed for eight years and fined Sh1 million.

An American born in 1951 committed suicide in jail while on trial after being found with 17.4 kilogrammes of cocaine.

British national Reginald Terrence Johnstone was jailed for 18 months after arriving with 1.09 kilogrammes of hashish after flying from London to Mombasa through Nairobi in 2001.

Others are Pluck-Geb Foranzan-Siegleinde, a German police claim was arrested with 1,681.3 grammes of cocaine in 2009 but was acquitted under section 215 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Another German, Berthold Clemens Schollitorn, is serving a life sentence in jail besides a fine of Sh28million imposed in 2009 for drug possession.

Officials within the police, Immigration and judicial departments however blame each other for the problem of criminals on the run and foreigners’ impunity and involvement in crime, accusing one another of failing to disclose vital information on fugitives.

A court official who asked not to be named told The County Weekly in Malindi that the Attorney General's office does not share information on warrants issued against any local foreign residents.

Mr Adoli also claimed that local police rarely get access to this information.

The police boss admits fugitives exist in the region adding that they do so with the assistance of local contacts and foreign brokers that have lived in the coastal towns for years.

"They cannot live here without local support. They (fugitives) also have the support of contacts who have been here for sometime," he said.

One of the reasons Malindi could be hosting many criminals without detection is because almost all of them are hosted in private villas instead of hotels.

Europeans are also accused of evading paying taxes own the villas and mandatory tourism levies.

The foreigners use the private villas to conduct commerce away from the scrutiny of Government while others sell drugs and run prostitution rings from their hideouts.

Many of the traders use third parties to procure goods and register equipment and vehicles with fraudulent spouses.


Mr Adoli admitted that police do not inspect villas because they would be accused of flouting civil and personal rights. But the claim is disputed by activists who say that the police are on the take from the owners of the villas.

Two years ago the Catering and Tourism Development Levy Trust CTDLT confirmed losing Sh800 million annually from non-remittance of levies by these villas.

CTDLT Chief Executive Officer Allan Chenane was quoted saying most of the private villas were operating secretly by accommodating tourists at their establishment yet they were not paying the legal two per cent levy.

Mr Chenane said a research conducted by his organisation revealed they were losing Sh480 milion per year from the all-inclusive packages at the villas and another Sh260 million annually from the home stay.

Also not spared is the Kenya Revenue Authority, whose officials estimate it is losing more than Sh500 million as a result of tax evasion by owners of the villas.

It is estimated that Malindi has more than 3,500 private villas, some of which house fugitives who blend easily within the town.

Mr Adoli also agreed that the large Italian population in Malindi may act as a cover for fake tourists and criminals in circumstances where there is reluctance to screen tourists.

"Italian investors now control most of the beach properties in Malindi," he said adding that the Italians are now some of the largest landowners in this area.
According to court sources, Giovanni De Caro is the only Italian who has successfully been charged and repatriated from Kenya in recent years although independent accounts show many more are in hiding.

Court records show that cases involving many Western suspects take long to conclude.
For example, the case of Italian Diego Rituch, who was charged five years ago, has been pending in court and has never been prosecuted for unknown reasons.

www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000061045&pageNo=1&story_title=

Seems Malindi lives in fear.. police, courts, judges, magistrates are not doing their job.. if indeed Lillian Mwikali Andree "Kasuku" death has a Mafia connection? what hope is there to find and jail her Killers?
Was Mr. Emilicus Vandewerf Mafia too?

[reporter911]

And Here is the Journalist Paul Gitau of Standard complaining about threats on his life after writing the article

Standard journalist’s life is in danger

Thursday, 05/07/2012 - Paul Gitau a Standard group journalist has received threats following a story he wrote on Italian mafia’s hiding in Malindi.

Apparently, Paul received a call from an Italian investor who warned him of dire consequences. The story was published last week in the county weekly segment.

Interestingly, it is common knowledge that the Italians have been hiding at the Coastal region. He wrote on how the Italian Mafia was running government departments in Malindi town.

Gitau reported the matter to the Malindi Police Station under the OB number 80/2/7/2012.

He said, “My life is in danger and I do not know what they will do. I would like the Government to provide security,” He added that about 15 Italians had met three times since the article was published and formed a committee to deal with the matter.

The Standard Group was applauded by the Malindi Pastors Association on Wednesday for exposing the criminal activities. Speaking in a press conference Bishop Thomas Kakala of JCC said, “Who in Malindi doesn’t know there are some Italian criminals hiding here while others are engaging in underworld activities like illegal drugs and child prostitution.”

Malindi MP Gideon Mungaro talked of the illegal activities and added that he would liaise with Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang’ to offer maximum security to Paul.

The Kenyan DAILY POST

www.kenyan-post.com/2012/07/standard-journalists-life-is-in-danger.html

I wonder did Paul Gitua get security from the government or he is a walking dead man?

[b6k]

OO, that was indeed an interesting piece. Like Phil & R911, I don't see an Italian mafia link & believe you should be safe. Reason being the mafia would've had the means to "properly" deep six her body in the deep blue sea using any of their numerous speed boats at their disposal. I think it's just a coincidence that one of her last posts on Jukwaa pointed at Berlusconi & other prominent Italians. The fact remains, as far as what you posted goes, they had no beef with Kasuku about the Sail Fish Club.

That said within your write up you do bring up an individual who I would consider a prime suspect. It isn't even Van Der Werf himself but his Kenyan wife! Reason again. Even the Dutchman would've planned it out well enough to use his deep sea fishing boat to get rid of the body.

I see the red flag right here:

"However, Kasuku being a headstrong and independent woman had opted
to grab the proverbial bull by the horns, going directly to the Sailfish
Club (which was actually her former villa that had been grabbed from her
years ago) and through one of the friendly members of staff managed to
access the wife of the Sailfish owner, Mr. Emilicus Vandewerf. Since she
happens to be a Kenyan from the Luo community a rapport quickly
developed between Kasuku and Mrs. Vandewerf (Van der Werf?). Kasuku
was able to share documents which proved that she was the real owner
of the property."

If Van Der Werf was really committed to handing over the club in a 6 month plan, his wife, who seems to have succeeded into lulling Kasuku into a false sense of security once she showed her all her "cards" (ownership documents) & then went further by checking herself into the club, may have been seeing red! The amateurish murder method you describe (contradicted by the Nation article posted by Podp: suffocation followed by stabbing in the neck) points towards a very local killing. I would concentrate on the missus as well as locate the missing watchman, the potential actual killer. The "rapport" between the two women was used to lure Kasuku into the trap...

[genius]

That Vanderwerf character certainly is the prime suspect in this murder. And yes, it looks like a mafia hit job.

[destiny]

Very amateurish killing, hundreds of clues left behind, this is an open and shut case. That hotel needs to be shut down until proper ownership is determined and killers brought to to book. It looks like someone gave the amateurish killers a few hundred shillings for the shoddy job. If the police won't be compromised, this case should not take that long and we should get a conviction before elections. I hope Kasuku's family and friends keep up the fight for justice and hotel ownership. Thanks Oloo for your spirited effort and sharing with us.

[mzee]

Onyango Oloo,
Thanks for consolidating the stories about this murder.
I'm happy that you have shared this with jukwaa and the world.
You have done your part.
Let the police act now.

But...our police are what they are...incompetent and compromised and that's a major problem.

Another thing is that "our people" are beholden to white foreigners and the murderer, if European might just get a slap on the wrist and move on with his life. Its a pity but it is true.

[Onyango Oloo]

To All:

Thanks for your feedback.

A couple of points:

1. To Phil: The name of the lawyer is MICHAEL, not "Tom". That was MY mistake.

2. The prominent human rights lawyer DID NOT CON Kasuku. He is actually part of the people who want to make sure her killers are held accountable. You notice I did not name the NSIS guy or his bro. That was the LEAST I could do in appreciation of the tons of info they supplied me with.

3. In talking about the Mafia link, there is a remote possibility that I may not have shared EVERYTHING I know about the possible motives of whoever Kasuku's killers are. But I see where the skeptics are coming from.

4. My name is ONYANGO OLOO, not Agatha Christie, Dashiell Hammett, Arthur Conan Doyle, Walter Mosley or any of the famous detective writers of yore. I just asked a question about the Mafia connection. It is up to the professionals to solve the case.

I will need to go back to the piece and correct it some more...

Onyango Oloo

[phil]

Nov 20, 2012 12:58:48 GMT 3 Onyango Oloo said:

To All:

Thanks for your feedback.

A couple of points:

1. To Phil: The name of the lawyer is MICHAEL, not "Tom". That was MY mistake.

2. The prominent human rights lawyer DID NOT CON Kasuku. He is actually part of the people who want to make sure her killers are held accountable. You notice I did not name the NSIS guy or his bro. That was the LEAST I could do in appreciation of the tons of info they supplied me with.

3. In talking about the Mafia link, there is a remote possibility that I may not have shared EVERYTHING I know about the possible motives of whoever Kasuku's killers are. But I see where the skeptics are coming from.

4. My name is ONYANGO OLOO, not Agatha Christie, Dashiell Hammett, Arthur Conan Doyle, Walter Mosley or any of the famous detective writers of yore. I just asked a question about the Mafia connection. It is up to the professionals to solve the case.

I will need to go back to the piece and correct it some more...

Onyango Oloo

So what happens if investigators hit a brick wall, or even if the court dismisses the case and sets the suspects free.

Does it mean we sit back and do nothing?

[reporter911]

Nov 20, 2012 5:26:15 GMT 3 b6k said:

OO, that was indeed an interesting piece. Like Phil & R911, I don't see an Italian mafia link & believe you should be safe. Reason being the mafia would've had the means to "properly" deep six her body in the deep blue sea using any of their numerous speed boats at their disposal. I think it's just a coincidence that one of her last posts on Jukwaa pointed at Berlusconi & other prominent Italians. The fact remains, as far as what you posted goes, they had no beef with Kasuku about the Sail Fish Club.

That said within your write up you do bring up an individual who I would consider a prime suspect. It isn't even Van Der Werf himself but his Kenyan wife! Reason again. Even the Dutchman would've planned it out well enough to use his deep sea fishing boat to get rid of the body.

I see the red flag right here:

"However, Kasuku being a headstrong and independent woman had opted
to grab the proverbial bull by the horns, going directly to the Sailfish
Club (which was actually her former villa that had been grabbed from her
years ago) and through one of the friendly members of staff managed to
access the wife of the Sailfish owner, Mr. Emilicus Vandewerf. Since she
happens to be a Kenyan from the Luo community a rapport quickly
developed between Kasuku and Mrs. Vandewerf (Van der Werf?). Kasuku
was able to share documents which proved that she was the real owner
of the property."

If Van Der Werf was really committed to handing over the club in a 6 month plan, his wife, who seems to have succeeded into lulling Kasuku into a false sense of security once she showed her all her "cards" (ownership documents) & then went further by checking herself into the club, may have been seeing red! The amateurish murder method you describe (contradicted by the Nation article posted by Podp: suffocation followed by stabbing in the neck) points towards a very local killing. I would concentrate on the missus as well as locate the missing watchman, the potential actual killer. The "rapport" between the two women was used to lure Kasuku into the trap...

I see the red flag right here:

"However, Kasuku being a headstrong and independent woman had opted
to grab the proverbial bull by the horns, going directly to the Sailfish
Club (which was actually her former villa that had been grabbed from her
years ago) and through one of the friendly members of staff managed to
access the wife of the Sailfish owner, Mr. Emilicus Vandewerf. Since she
happens to be a Kenyan from the Luo community a rapport quickly
developed between Kasuku and Mrs. Vandewerf (Van der Werf?). Kasuku
was able to share documents which proved that she was the real owner
of the property."

If Van Der Werf was really committed to handing over the club in a 6 month plan, his wife, who seems to have succeeded into lulling Kasuku into a false sense of security once she showed her all her "cards" (ownership documents) & then went further by checking herself into the club, may have been seeing red! The amateurish murder method you describe (contradicted by the Nation article posted by Podp: suffocation followed by stabbing in the neck) points towards a very local killing. I would concentrate on the missus as well as locate the missing watchman, the potential actual killer. The "rapport" between the two women was used to lure Kasuku into the trap..

Interesting Point.. I think Both MRs & Mr. Emilicus Vandewerf. were in on it..
How else can someone be killed in their Hotel, handcuffed and thrown in the septic tank? how about eye witnesses? nobody has spoken about hotel guests? with all the commotion? does it mean nobody heard anything?
THE SAIL CLUB SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION.. IT IS A MURDER SCENE WHY THE HELL IS IT STILL OPERATING ? THAT IS THE QUESTION TO BE POSTED TO THE POLICE AND THE LAWYER REPRESENTING KASUKU, have they filed an injunction in court for it to be shut down until further notice? if not they should do it with immediate effect.. alah!

[einstein]

Nov 19, 2012 23:47:22 GMT 3 einstein said:

Now, this is my brother OO talking. This sort of engagement is the reason I followed OO to Jukwaa many years back. I pray that OO keeps it up!

OO, I have not had time to read and internalise your post in its entirety. I will get back to you as soon as I have done my homework!!

OO,

I have now done my homework and gone through your entire piece.

Thanks for taking concrete steps to bring Kasuku's killers to book and also thank you for doing this on behalf of both the Jukwaa and DC fraternity who had already started to organise themselves to take those same steps you have taken.

But should you still need our help at any stage, simply give us a shout please.

If I get time, I will soon be wondering aloud about certain aspects of your narrative both here on Jukwaa and DC with a view to getting further clarification.

A job well done brother for our sister Kasuku. But let ALL of us keep our eyes on the ball till the satisfactory end of this case is achieved.

[kimokumu]

OO thanks for the good work.
Please let Kasuku's family know that the Jukwaa community has sent heartfelt condolences
I hope you also- like Gitau the writer- take steps to beef up your security
Dear Jukwaa members don't think we are far removed from Kenyan society
Kasuku's demise demands that we move from a think tank- a talk shop- a discussion forum- to aggressive activism
The gangrene in Kenya will invariably get to us if not severed

[abdulmote]

From my visual analyses, the image of the Dutch having been arrested on suspicion of murder was quite telling!





The MURDER SUSPECT was not handcuffed and was leasurely being 'escorted' by presumably the top local cops! That should tell you something about his 'status'! Ironically, even some of our own MPs who had been recently arrested for various offences were seen to have been handcuffed!

[kamalet]

Nov 22, 2012 23:36:06 GMT 3 abdulmote said:

From my visual analyses, the image of the Dutch having been arrested on suspicion of murder was quite telling!





The MURDER SUSPECT was not handcuffed and was leasurely being 'escorted' by presumably the top local cops! That should tell you something about his 'status'! Ironically, even some of our own MPs who had been recently arrested for various offences were seen to have been handcuffed!

Abdulmote

Blame it on the new katiba rather than reverence for the white guy.

Our local MPs with handcuffs was a case of them coming from the court headed for the cells for bail/bond where strangely you are required to be handcuffed!

[nereah]

lets we forget




as we mourn baba keithi,lets not forget another victim of the recesses of lower eastern. i took a vow to honour sister kasuku in the best way i know and can and i am keeping to that. i hope her brother who had sought jukwaa's support to finance the legal battle would be kind enough to brief us on the progress so far.

more importantly i hope he took advantage of the jukwaa open day to register as our member which would be appropriate.

jukwaa reference