Tycoon's heir cremated even as questions still linger about his death
Mr Bunty Shah, the only son of Mr Vipin Shah – the owner of Bobmil Industries Limited – was shot by police offices under unclear circumstances on Sunday at his family’s home.
Mr Bunty Shah, the only son of Mr Vipin Shah – the owner of Bobmil Industries Limited – was shot by police offices under unclear circumstances on Sunday at his family’s home at the junction of Peponi and General Mathenge roads in Westlands, Nairobi County.
The media was not allowed to cover the cremation process and the family declined to speak to journalists.
“This is a solemn moment where the family is still in mourning and I do not think they can talk to the media. Let them be given space to pray and mourn in peace,” said businessman Vimal Shah, former Bidco Africa boss, who was at the cremation.
However, even as remains of Shah are cemented, a lot still remains to be answered in one of the most puzzling crime operations in recent years in Kenya.
While the Police have announced they have opened investigations on the death of Mr. Shah it initially denied claims that police officers were involved in the operation.
“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has taken up investigations. But there was no officer involved,” Gigiri police boss Vitalis Otieno said.
Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet however contradicted Mr. Otieno on Monday when claimed that Bunty entered into a gunfight with police officers during an operation in the area.
The IG divulged that the police had information that there was a plot to stage deadly attacks in Nairobi using weapons stored at a building in Westlands.
"Information obtained by the Police indicated that some unidentified individuals were plotting to stage multiple attacks in Nairobi using weapons that were kept in an unoccupied house along Pepopni Road.
During the operation, officers involved came under fire from a balcony of a building cross by the unidentified person continued firing even after being cautioned, forcing the officers to respond. In the ensuing exchange of fire, the individual, who has been identified as Bunty Shah, was fatally injured," the statement read in part.
The Family and eye witness however contradict police accounts.
“He was woken up by the commotion and did not resist arrest. They left when they noticed that one of them had shot him,” said the uncle at the scene.
Mr Harish Patel, a close friend of the victim, said he was executed in gangland style.
“The vehicles they arrived in had no number plates and we are demanding that proper investigations be carried out to ascertain the reason behind the operation,” he said.
Mr. Shah leaves behind a widow and one son.
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