One person killed in Bungoma, houses torched by 'fake' security officials

Family members, relatives and neighbours gather at the home of the late George Otieno in Musikoma Bakery village Kanduyi Constituency. (PHOTO: TITUS OTEBA/STANDARD)

Police in Bungoma County are pursuing an alleged fake Nyumba Kumi official who led a mob in allegedly attacking and killing a 60-year-old man for defending his son and a worker said to have robbed a local businessman.

County Commissioner Mohamed Maalim has ordered the arrest of Patrick Timbiti who is alleged to have led a group of over 100 armed youth to invade the home of George Oloo in Musikoma Bakery village in Kanduyi constituency on Friday night.

“Intelligence reports have indicated that the suspect led a number of youths to attack the deceased after his nephew (Maxwell Timbiti) had been accosted and hacked in the hands of Mr Oloo’s sons. We are following the leads and will arrest all of them,” Mr Maalim said.

However, family members led by Oloo’s son Walter Otieno had a different story.

“The story by the State is contrary to what we know. One of our workers who help us in baking bricks was alleged to have stolen bedding from a neighbour and therefore they arrested the suspect who was found with the mattress to help them find the real thief but when they missed him they attacked our home,” he said.

ARMED YOUTHS

The mob torched three houses.

“When my father went out to find out what had led to the unfortunate incident, he was ambushed by the angry and armed youths who hacked him with pangas, wrapped his body in a polythene bag and doused it in petrol,” Mr Otieno said.

He added that the suspects who are still at large are still threatening the family with dire consequences if they report the matter to the police.

The family are now demanding to be accorded enough insecurity so that they can be able to accord their father a decent burial. His body is being preserved at Bungoma County Referral Hospital.

Maalim denied any knowledge about the fake official and asked the locals to avoid mob psychology attitude which led to the death of the old man.

Bungoma County has 2,950 nyumba kumi officials who report insecurity issues to police  and national government administrators.