Gang hacks four, rapes woman in night of terror

Kakamega, Kenya: A woman was gang raped, four people hacked and property of unknown value stolen by machete wielding gang, that attacked three homes in Lirhembe village, Ikolomani constituency in Kakamega County.

The gang attacked the first home at 8pm on Thursday and hacked a man and his sister-in-law several times before they stole household goods and money estimated to be more than Sh350,000.

“We had just finished eating supper when four men stormed into the house and asked for my son Dennis. They claimed they were police officers and wanted to arrest him in connection with the stealing of a car engine. They tied my grandson’s hands behind his back and asked me to lead them to my son’s house,” narrates Rita Lugonzo, the owner of the home.

She said the 15-member gang claimed they were police officers from Ikolomani, Malinya and Kakamega police stations and have been searching for my son in connection with robbery.

Broke the door

“I called Dennis and I told him police had come to arrest him. Others had gone to the kitchen and found his wife and her sister. They pushed us into the house but Dennis refused to open the bedroom door and demanded they remove their identification cards. That’s when they broke the door and started beating him,” she said.

A 17-year-old Form Three student of Lirhembe Academy was slashed on the head.

“I was wailing because there was confusion and noise everywhere, they were beating us with clubs and I tried to run out of the house not knowing others were outside. They slashed me on the head, arms and stomach,” said Wilfrida Khatambi who is admitted to St Elizabeth Mukumu Mission Hospital.

The gang then went to a businessman’s home about four 4km away. “They came and asked for money. I only had Sh7, 000. They asked for more which I didn’t have. I was slashed on the head and hands. They were in police uniforms and possessed handcuffs,” he said.

They also gang raped his wife who is admitted to the same hospital. They later went to the home of Edward Shibembe, a county representative of Shinyalu West ward and stole property of unknown value.

“It was 11pm when my house was broken into by around 10 men armed with pangas and clubs. They asked for money and I gave them Sh10, 000. They demanded for a gun which I don’t have. They took my mobile phones, some household items and fled,” said Mr Shibembe.

Stole money

Kakamega South sub county Administration Police Commander John Sawe said they responded to residents’ distress call but they did not manage to arrest the suspects. He said police have launched investigation into the attacks.

“They attacked the first house and injured two people and stole money and property, went to the second house, injured the man and raped his wife and in the third house, stole money and household items,” said Mr Sawe.