Thugs attack, rob, rape Mwitoti and Shikomari residents in night of terror

Mumias, Kenya: The gangsters, armed with machetes, carried out their attack between 9pm and midnight and struck four homesteads where they stole household goods, money and raped occupants.

In the first incident at Emakwale village, Mumias East, a primary school teacher was raped together with her 11-year-old twin daughters and a house girl.

"I heard my herds-boy calling my name saying our calf was looking sick. It was not very late and I innocently opened the door. Little did I know that a gang was waiting for the moment to pounce," recalled the teacher when The Standard visited her home.

She said the gangsters numbering eight forced their way into her house and started picking items as they packed them in her car. They later forced the teacher to hand over the car keys.

"This is the second time in a span of two years I have been attacked and raped. I am hurt and confused, I don't know if I will ever overcome this latest incident especially after I witnessed my young daughters going through the beastly act. I hope justice will be done," she said.

ARMED BANDITS

The teacher's car was recovered yesterday near River Sasala along the Mumias-Kakamega road and taken to Mumias Police Station.

The thugs later proceeded to Shikomari and attacked the home of Washington Tsuma, a head teacher at Kakamega Hill School.

Collins Tsuma, his son and a teacher at Mumias are recuperating at Kakamega General County Hospital with head and leg injuries.

"I received a call from my daughter at 1am informing me that thugs were in the compound. I was in Kakamega so I rushed there and on my way found police officers from Makunga station walking on foot towards my home. They boarded my vehicle and we found my son with serious wounds," Tsuma said.

Rex Alunya is also another victim of the night attack at Elutali village. He was terrorised together with his brother for two hours by the thugs who numbered 12.

Speaking to The Standard, Assistant Chief Phanuel Wesonga, said the county government ought to give them arms and a police vehicle at Makunga Police Station saying this will facilitate their movement at night.

"It becomes very difficult for us to handle armed thugs when we are not armed. These thugs use vehicles, so how can we arrest them when we are on foot?" he asked.