It had been a lengthy wait for justice, with the family of Ngumbao Jola withdrawing from the lawsuit after the court ultimately acquitted the primary suspect in the case.
The late Jola was shot dead following a scuffle involving Gender and Public Service Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa, but the family has now dropped the murder prosecution after Ms Jumwa was exonerated by the court.
The Director of Public Prosecutions dropped the accusations against Jumwa, leaving just his bodyguard facing the murder allegations.
The family met at Mr Jola’s gravesite, said prayers, and then declared that they would no longer be involved in the investigation because the primary suspect had been released.
Jola’s mother and father sobbed during the briefing as they remembered their relatives’ cold-blooded murder.
The late Jola died during the Ganda Ward by-election.
A family member, Rodgers Katana Jola, said they are still mourning Jola’s loss and are upset since he was slain at home and the government took action to arrest Jumwa.
In an interview, he stated that they are startled that the same government has dropped the murder accusations against Jumwa, which he described as an injustice to vulnerable individuals.
Jola’s mother, who could only communicate in Giriama’s native dialect, couldn’t hold back her emotions as she described how the case was unfolding.
“I have heard that she has been set free and charges withdrawn, if its really justice let her be free but if its not God will give his judgment,” she said before she broke down.
Reuben Katana the deceased uncle said they were shocked to hear that the key suspect in the murder case of Ngumbao Jola had been set free and made to be a witness in the case.
As family he said they knew the CS was the one who caused the death of Jola since it’s her who took Okuto to their home.
“As a family since we are poor, we have nothing, we don’t even have a village elder in our home we are even fearing for our safety because the key suspect is senior in the government, she has money,” he said.
Katana a former Ganda MCA said they resolved as a family to live the case to God to make the judgement,
He said they have written a letter to the DPP through their lawyer which will reach him any time stating that they have withdrawn from the case.
Katana said as a family they do not want to proceed with the case because they fear for their safety.
Jola was killed ahead of Ganda by elections when Jumwa and her supporters stormed the home claiming there was an unlawful meeting at the home as campaign period was over.
During the scuffle he was shot dead.
