Kakamega protests as 8 killed in three weeks

Residents of Namasanda village in Matungu are up in arms over insecurity in the area.

They said at least eight people had been killed under unclear circumstances over the past three weeks.

The latest incident was that of a Form Two student who was killed on Sunday.

Nineteen-year-old Sharrif Odongo of Makunda Muslim Secondary School was attacked by unknown people as he returned home in the evening.

His father Salim Okumu said he got worried when his son failed to return home.

“By 10pm, the boy was not home and we were all worried. We set out to look for him when we stumbled on his lifeless body outside the gate,” said Okumu.

Yesterday, residents, who were joined by local leaders, took to the streets to protest the killings and general insecurity in the sub-county.

They claimed a gang has been on the lose in the area and called on the police to rein in on it.

“Ondongo is the eighth person to be killed here under similar circumstances. Another student was recently killed in Lung’anyiro. A few weeks ago, a couple was killed by thugs. We are calling on the Inspector General of Police and Interior CS Fred Matiang’i to intervene,” said area MP Justus Murunga.

He demanded transfer of officers who have served in the area for a long time. “Some of the officers have been working here for over seven years and could be colluding with thugs,” he said.

Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda accused the national government of failing to assure residents of their security.

“May be we should devolve the security function. Counties are better placed to ensure their people are protected together with their properties,” said Muhanda. 

Kholera MCA Godliver Omondi accused police of failing to carry out patrols, especially at night.

“The only time you see the police Land Rover is during crackdowns on chang’aa dens,” he said.