Kisumu family demands answers over 'mysterious' death of kin, 23

Photo of the late Collins Kotiato, a fourth year Media and Communication student of Maseno University who died under mysterious circumstances. The family has demanded explanations from the institution over their kin’s death. PHOTO: CURTESY

KISUMU: A family wants Maseno University to explain the circumstances under which their kin, who was a final year student at the institution, died.

Collins Kotiato, a fourth year communication and media student, was allegedly attacked by fellow students on Thursday night within the institution over political differences.

Mr Kotiato, 23, passed away at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital on Friday night shortly after he was referred to the facility from the university dispensary on campus. According to the family, Kotiato had complained that his life was in danger after he allegedly supported a female contestant for the Finance seat in the forthcoming Students Organisation of Maseno University (Somu) elections.

The family has accused the university of treating the death casually by failing to contact them until three days after the incident, nor disclosing the cause of his death as detailed in his medical file in the institution's dispensary.

"I am the next of kin to the student and the university has my records including my contacts. I wonder why I had to get the information from other quarters and three days after the death. Even the authorities have not called us," said Kotiato's brother Felix Otiato.

Mr Otiato has reported the incident at Maseno Police Station under the OB 11/27/9/2015 and demanded fresh investigations into the matter. He said the university had verbally informed them that "the boy drank himself to death".

Contacted, Maseno PRO Jaspher Otieno said: "We are aware of the death and in such incidents it is the Dean of Students and the Head of Department who handle it."