Grief as two brothers shot dead amid security pledge

By Francis Ontomwa and Jane Cherotich

Kakamega, Kenya: The wave of killings in western Kenya continues despite Government’s assurance of security.

In one week, four people have been shot dead in Kakamega County with the latest incident being in Butere where two brothers were shot dead by unknown assailants and no arrests have been made.

Last Friday, two boda boda operators were shot by terror gang of about 20 in two separate incidents at Mfutu and Lunyu villages in Lugari constituency and several houses of suspected criminals burnt in retaliation.

The script appears similar but tempo seems to have upped. While the killers in Bungoma and Busia used crude weapons to kill their victims, in Kakamega, guns were employed to end the lives of two brothers.

Five-man gang

The manner of execution and retaliations experienced in the latest attacks heavily connects to the recent spate of crime that has exposed serious pitfalls in the country’s intelligence department.

Police have acknowledged that the crime pattern in Kakamega County is similar to one witnessed in Bungoma and Busia.

“We are suspecting these events have a lot of similarity with what has been going on in Bungoma and Busia, but we want to state that we are going to root out these criminals,” said Lugari OCPD John Leshimpiro.

Area police boss Paul Wanjama said a five-man gang stormed Emachifu area of Irunga sub-location at the home of William Otalo and shot him dead before robbing him of Sh14,000 and other assorted household items.??

“The robbers who were armed with an unknown firearm stormed the deceased’s home at around midnight and shot him dead after he opened the door on hearing a commotion from outside,” Wanjama said.

Gun shots

However, the wife and children who witnessed the whole incident were left unhurt. ??

The deceased brother, Macdonald Outa, met his death on his way to his late brother’s house 50 meters away after the gunshot attracted his attention.

“We established that he met the robbers on his way to his brother’s home where he was going to help and they shot him too and died on the spot,” said Wanjama.

The bodies were moved to St Mary’s mission hospital mortuary. Police have meanwhile launched a manhunt for the five suspects and urged locals to volunteer any information that could lead to their arrest.??

“We will ensure they are brought to book to curb this menace,” Wanjama assured.

The Government has promised to deploy more officers to the region to stop the wave of crime that has hit the three counties.

Leaders from the region have called for on the State to beef up security. Politicians have however, been linked to the spate of killings.