Mystery over killing of former town clerk’s husband

Funyula MP Oundo Mudenyo inside the room where Francis Wandera's body was found soaked in a pool of blood on December 8, 2019. [Ignatius Odanga, Standard]

When 74-year-old Francis Wandera left home on Sunday morning for church like he has done so many times before, little did he know that would be the last time.

After the sermon at Nangina Catholic Church, Wandera, the husband of former Nairobi Town Clerk Zipporah Wandera drove to Funyula shopping centre to get some groceries. 

He packed the goods into his car and drove back to his home in Bufuma village, Funyula constituency, unaware that intruders had gained access to his home by cutting through the fence.

The assailants are believed to have positioned themselves strategically behind Wandera’s son's house. They then pounced on him immediately he alighted from the vehicle and forced the old man to open the door. His body was found soaked in a pool of blood in his house that had been ransacked.

On their way out, Wandera's killers bumped into his son Alphonce Wandera, a former KDF soldier, who they also attacked and left in critical condition. He was rushed to Busia County Referral Hospital, but doctors referred him to Kisumu.

The senior Wandera worked at the National Treasury for many years before he retired.

His brother Chrispinus Banja said he received a call from his grandson that Wandera had been killed and many people were at his home.

“I found my brother's body soaked in a pool of blood. They (assailants) cut the fence and gained entry into the home. They hacked him with a sharp object,” said Banja in tears. “We want to know who killed my brother and why. He died a very painful death.”

Addressing the media at the home, area MP Oundo Mudenyo urged locals to volunteer information to police that will lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.

“It is not possible for someone from far to come and commit a crime here. There must be someone from within who planned very well for the execution of such a heinous act,” said Mudenyo.

Samia Sub-county Police Commander Winny Siele said investigations into the killing have been launched.

Meanwhile, police in Butula have intensified the search for a primary school teacher after a man he allegedly assaulted last week died.

Joab Odero, the deceased, who was said to be a watchman at Butunyi Primary School differed with the teacher at a hotel in Butula constituency before a scuffle ensued. According to a witness, the teacher descended on Odero with kicks and blows before he took off.

Butula Police Commander Richard Omanga said the suspect had gone into hiding to avoid arrest in connection with Odero's death.