US Envoy Delivers Biden's Message on the Murder of Joanna Stutchburry

The United States government has called for Kenya to ensure justice for slain environmentalist Joanna Stutchburry.

Special Presidential Envoy John Kerry, in a statement on July 24, 2021, urged the authorities to expedite investigations into the murder.

The former US Secretary of State was appointed by Biden in November 2020 to advice on climate and environmental issues.

"I’m sickened by the tragic murder of activist Joannah Stutchbury in Kenya," Kerry stated.

File image of US President Joe Biden and Special Presidential Envoy John Kerry. |Photo| Courtesy|

"Joannah was a passionate advocate for our environment. She paid the ultimate price for her courage and exercising her human rights.

"Justice must be served," he added.

Stutchburry was dedicated in her efforts to conserve and preserve the environment. Prior to her demise, she is believed to have crossed paths with "powerful individuals" who were clearing part of the Kiambu Forest to pave way for developments.

Court papers shared with media houses indicate that she had pending cases at the Environment and Lands Court in Kiambu when she died.

“There is speculation that the developers may have been involved. However, if you say someone committed the crime, can we put him in that scenario even if we want to use circumstantial evidence?

“It is about putting the suspected fellow to the crime scene or to the activities surrounding the crime," Kiambu East Directorate of Criminal Investigations Officer Dennis Wekesa stated.

A damning affidavit written by Stutchbury states that employees Agropack Ltd had threatened to finish her off for allegedly interfering with their work.

“I reported to the Kiambu Police Station as follows: OB 28/16/02/2018 at about 1120 hours with Corporal Mugambi (16th February) where the said Plaintiff’s/Applicants Company said “Maliza huyu mzungu”, which translates to “finish this white person,” she had told the court.

Wekesa maintained that the right procedures will be followed in bringing the persons involved to justice.

“Agropack is a registered company. We will want to get details of the company from the registrar of companies and every other fact will follow from there.

“Those words going round regarding the company’s involvement are just words on the streets. Once we have verified everything, we will proceed and make arrests," he said.

President Uhuru Kenyatta had earlier called for the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to move quickly in establishing the environmentalist's killers.

"My government will pursue and apprehend the criminals behind the killing of Joannah.

"We will not allow a few misguided individuals to continue shedding the blood of innocent people working hard to make Kenya a better place for all of us," he said.

Stutchburry was shot multiple times while inside her car just outside her house  in Mushroom Gardens estate in Thindigua, Kiambu County on Thursday afternoon, July 15.