Family of 22 finds refuge at police station after death threat by neighbours

Homa Bay: Twenty-two members of a family who were rescued from a lynch mob on Friday remain stranded at a police station for fear of being lynched.

David Ouma’s children and grandchildren are stranded at the Homa Bay Police Station after residents of Nyangweso Village in Rangwe Sub-County killed two of their brothers last Friday, and vowed to finish the rest of the family.

The family was rescued from the wrath of its neighbours by police.

The brothers were lynched after they were accused of robbing and killing some villagers.

Evance Ouma, 25, and Daniel Ojijo, 30, were killed near their home, and their bodies burnt with tyres and firewood at Nyangweso Trading Centre.

The residents also razed down eight houses before hacking eight cattle and two sheep belonging to the family.

Although the locals were agitated by the two brothers whom they accused of being members of a gang that has been terrorising them, they also reportedly vowed that they would harm the other family members.

Magical powers

The villagers accused the family of using magic to free the suspects from the justice system.

They said the two brothers had been arrested many times and taken to court, but their family’s magical powers saved them from being sentenced.

“The two young men were real criminals who deprived many people of their property besides killing those who wanted to report them to security personnel. Villagers cannot allow the family to continue staying here because it is a disgrace,” said one resident.

The locals accused the family of being an obstacle to their economic prosperity.

“It is very difficult to struggle for many years to acquire property then somebody comes and takes it within seconds. Those people should not be allowed back to this village,” said another man.

Sunday, Homa Bay OCPD Esau Ochorokodi said they will continue accommodating the family until a safe place for their settlement is found.

“The information we have is that the village is still hostile for them. We are also proceeding with investigations to ensure punitive measures are taken against the culprits,” said Mr Ochorokodi.

He appealed to well-wishers to help the family.

“The family is undergoing difficulties hence I am calling on well-wishers and humanitarian agencies to intervene,” said the OCPD.

Police have allocated the family a single room at the police station.