Tears in Siaya as families mourn their relatives

Pauline Amondi mourns her husband Austine Oduor (inset) at Pundo Ramba village in Siaya county Tuesday. [PHOTO: DENISH OCHIENG/ STANDARD]

The guns fell silent yesterday in Kisumu and Siaya, leaving behind an uneasy calm following Monday's violent protests.

But in Pundoramba and Lwala Koudia villages in Alego, Siaya County, emotions ran high following the deaths of two men in the demonstrations against the electoral commission.

Austin Oduor Juma, 29, and Churchill Odonda, 37, whose bodies now lie on a cold slab in a Siaya morgue, were shot dead by police during the violent demonstrations. Over 15 others were hospitalised with gunshot wounds.

Their families are demanding answers over the deaths of their loved ones who, they say, were not part of the demonstrations. Pauline Amondi, Mr Oduor's wife, said her husband was in town for his normal job as a boda boda operator when he met his death.

maternal home

"My husband had called me last week informing me that he was unwell but because I was at my maternal home I had planned to travel on Monday to see him. I had just left my home around midday when I received a call from his friend that he had been shot dead in town," the mother of two said, fighting back tears.

A tearful Ms Amondi told The Standard she did not believe the news until she saw him lying in a pool of blood right behind the county government offices.

She said her husband was a jovial and polite man who always worked hard to take care of her and their two daughters aged six and four.

young family

"How can the Government that swore to protect us allow the police to kill young and innocent people? He has left behind a very young family because of police brutality," said Amondi. Oduor's mother Celine Juma said she had locked herself in her hotel in town during the demonstration, when a young man knocked the door and informed her of her son's demise.

Mrs Juma recounted how she left her hotel in a huff to confirm what is every parent's worst fear.

"At first the police did not allow me to move close to the body but I insisted because I had seen my son lying down there, lifeless. The Government has hurt me because my son was not a thief but they killed him all the same," she said fighting back tears.

"If this is the leadership we signed for, I don't want it. I want justice for my son." According to Churchill's family in Lwala Koudia village, he had gone to town with his brother Dennis Ouma in the morning.

Mr Ouma said they were together till noon when Churchill left to take care of his business. An hour later he was informed that his brother had been shot dead.

"I later learnt that he had been shot in the chest and hand and was seriously bleeding, but he died while receiving treatment. The police have killed our only breadwinner because we are only three. We are now helpless," he said.

Churchill has left behind two boys aged five and three.

Report by Dalton Nyabundi, Olivia Odhiambo and Isaiah Gwengi.