Detectives recover weapons from Kapondi's home as probe into Wasama's murder intensifies

‎Mt Elgon MP Fred Kapondi  addresses the press on the security situation in his constituency. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Detectives conducting the probe into the murder of Mount Elgon politician Nathan Wasama Masai raided the home of area MP Fred Kapondi and recovered crude weapons and a pair of police uniforms.

The Tuesday evening operation was carried out by a team from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters backed by their counterparts based at the western regional office in Kakamega.

Following a three-hour search at the Pukonoi home in Cheptais of the controversial lawmaker, detectives arrested one of his close aides identified as George Makwere Masai. The police team arrived at 4pm and left around 7pm.

Among the weapons recovered were machetes, axes, arrows, clubs, knives, a hand grenade, three motorbikes, and police uniform.

Initial reports that were dismissed by Cheptais Sub County Police Commander Barnabas Ngeno indicated that ammunition marked GK and assorted firearms were found in the compound. Ngeno insisted that only crude weapons were recovered.

“Treat as untrue the speculation of bullets and firearms being found. What we know only crude weapons were recovered by the investigative team that raided the home where they found pangas, axes, knives, clubs and one grenade,” said the police commander.

The slain businessman-cum-politician was attacked on the night of August 8, 2026 by assailants riding on two motorcycles while at his shop in Tuikut shopping centre.

Bungoma County Police Commander Anderson Njagi dismissed claims by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that firearms had been recovered during the operation.

“As the National Police Service and the DCI, we never got such firearms that the former DP Gachagua alleged,” he said.

According to earlier information, the three spent bullets found at the scene were labelled GK, fueling speculations the 61-year-old who had expressed interest in the Mount Elgon parliamentary seat, might have been eliminated by security agents.

“We’re told by locals who were among the first to arrive at the scene the bullets bore GK marks, making us suspect the involvement of police in Wasama’s murder, which might now re-ignite hostilities if those involved are not brought to book,” said a source soon after the fatal shooting.

The former Chesikaki councillor had complained several times about his safety, and had reported the matter to police after allegedly falling-out with Kapondi who yesterday denied having a hand in his death.

Police have arrested five suspects, among them Makwere, Wycliffe Chesubei Ngeiwa alias Chota, Robert Kimutai Psisei aka Robert Miti, Brian Chongin Kaos and Oscar Koech Sakong who was the first to be arrested following credible leads.

Makwere and Chesubei were arrested on the same day, according to the DCI, which said in a statement: “The operation also yielded a haul of items including military-style smoke jacket, a stun grenade, three axes, a crowbar, three folding pangas, two pangs, two knives, five arrows, three motorcycles, two mobile phones and an iPod.”

Preliminary investigations established that one of the pillion passengers alighted, walked into Wasama’s shop and shot him before fleeing in company of his accomplices. A woman who was also shot and injured during the attack remains admitted in hospital.

“As investigations continue, the DCI cautions members of the public against spreading unverified allegations that could prejudice the case, compromise investigations or threaten public safety,” said the DCI.

Jackson Cheprumu Komon, a retired chief and cousin to Wasama, recounted how they had on several times received threats he linked to Kapondi. He claims their differences stretch back to 2021 when Wasama and him severed ties with the lawmaker.

At one point, fearing for his safety, he lodged a complaint at Bungoma Police Station, which was registered under OB number 29/25/7/2021.

“Together with Wasama, we reported to DCI in Bungoma over frequent threats were we receiving from Kapondi but our plight was ignored. Wasama has died because of politics, nothing else,” said Cheprumu.

The former councillor had only weeks earlier announced his intention to contest the Mt Elgon parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election, raising questions over whether his political ambitions could have played a role in his killing.

His widow, Janet Chepkemoi, said the family wanted investigators to examine all possible motives.

“My husband had expressed interest in contesting the Mt Elgon parliamentary seat. The news was shocking and I even collapsed. I am calling on the Government to intervene and help us get justice since he has left me with children who majorly depended on him,” she said.

Family member James Masai said they found Wasama with gunshot wounds to the chest and right hand when they arrived at the scene.

“This is a political assassination. We are demanding to be served with justice,” Masai said. The family is questioning why police had not taken decisive action after an earlier attempt on Wasama’s life.

“He was attacked but escaped death narrowly. My brother reported the incident but there was no action from the police. We want answers on this issue,” Masai said.

Wasama’s death has heightened political tensions in Mount Elgon, a constituency that has historically experienced political clashes, insecurity and rivalry among political leaders.

Speaking within the precincts of Parliament yesterday, Kapondi threatened to seek legal redress against former Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of disparaging his image over the unfortunate incident, he distanced himself from. Gachagua has claimed a cache of ammunitions and firearms were found in the legislator's home.

“I have never been in the business of killing my political opponents, it has ever happened in my entire political career. What the bloggers and my opponents are trying to hide is that he was found with someone’s wife. I have kept quiet for a long time because I wanted to allow investigations to take a natural course without any interference because as a leader, I have nothing to hide,” he said in a press conference.

According to Kapondi, who is a member of the parliamentary committee on Administration and Internal Security, no one has said anything to him and nobody informed him of the search warrant, yet he was at his home from Thursday through to Sunday.

“Gachagua is not above the law, he has spread false allegations against me and he should tell me where those guns are. I have to seek legal redress because he cannot just make wild allegations,” he said.

He admitted that detectives combed his compound but did not find firearms only taking away axes, pangas and traditional sticks, which he described as normal tools in a homestead. 

“I arrived home at around 8 pm last Thursday and it is said that he met his death at around 7.30pm. I was there the whole of Friday and had public engagements the entire weekend and left at 3.30am on Monday for the Naivasha meeting only for the search to be done without informing me and in my absence or anyone close to me,” he said.

Kapondi claimed he had never heard of any instance when Wasama reported an attempt on his life and that were he a person of interest, he would have been summoned to record a statement.

The lawmaker further alleged that Wasama may have had many enemies and that there were cases in court against him, even as he insisted that investigators should do a clean job as opposed to blaming the murder on politics.

“Those bringing my name are my political opponents who are clinging on to this unfortunate death to try and gain some mileage, which they will not get or improve their chances in any way. If there was any suspicion against me, I should have been informed that I am a person of interest,” he stated.

“I kept quiet because I wanted investigators to do their job professionally but they also missed the point because they went and turned my house up-side down. I have made a formal complaint to Independent Policing and Oversight Authority because they came with a predetermined mind, and this is not how to conduct investigations,” added Kapondi.

Mount Elgon constituency has previously witnessed bitter political contests, including a prolonged rivalry between former MP John Serut, now deceased and Kapondi.

In 2015, then National Cohesion and Integration Commission chairman Francis Ole Kaparo attempted to broker a truce between the two leaders, who had once been friends but later became political rivals.

Kapondi attracted public attention in 2019 after a video emerged showing him involving in a confrontation with Masuti Chemaseut during the burial of businessman Peter Chepkoech Zablon. Chemaseut was said to be as a close confidant of politician Evans Kiprotich.

Against this background of political intolerance and violence, locals and their leaders have expressed fears of an escalation as the 2027 General Election approaches.

A group of Mt Elgon politicians seeking various elective positions said they now feared for their lives following Wasama’s killing.

The leaders, who visited Wasama’s body being preserved at a morgue in Kimilili, demanded a comprehensive probe, insisting circumstances surrounding the killing must be established and those responsible prosecuted.

Parliamentary aspirant Patrick Chemosit said the family and residents deserved answers over the killing.

“We want a thorough investigation to establish who killed our colleague and the motive behind the killing. We cannot remain silent while our people are being killed,” Chemosit said.

Last year in June, Chemosit and his driver Francis Kiboi were injured after being allegedly attacked by a group that was led by the MP. Chemosit was heading home after attending a burial ceremony in Sacho village when he was ambushed at Kapkateny.

“The MP alighted from his vehicle, drew out his pistol and instructed his goons who were armed with crude weapons to attack me,” Chemosit told The Standard then adding that  the MP was not happy that he had criticised his development record at the funeral.

Michael Maruti, who is seeking the Mount Elgon Ward MCA seat, claimed they had received threats from a politician in the area, adding despite reporting to police, no decisive action had been taken.

The leaders maintained that Wasama had been involved in political disagreements with Kapondi and had on several occasions exchanged words with the MP in public. They said Wasama had been critical of the MP over constituency development projects and management of public funds.

Beyond politics, Wasama was involved in a community cultural initiative. He was leading a group of elders preparing for a traditional ritual involving the cutting of two fig trees at Toroso and Endebess.

The trees, locally known as Mogoywet had reportedly fallen abruptly last year, prompting elders to plan a ceremony to cut them. The planned ritual, however, faced opposition from an influential Mt Elgon politician.

At Tuikut Market, residents described Wasama as a prominent businessman and community figure whose death had sent shockwaves across the area.

Police are now expected to intensify investigations into the killing, with detectives examining the suspects in custody, motorcycles recovered during the operation and the weapons seized at Kapondi’s residence.

The investigation is also expected to establish the motive for Wasama’s killing and determine whether his political ambitions, personal disagreements or other factors played a role.

As the 2027 political contest gathers momentum, residents and political aspirants are urging security agencies to act swiftly to prevent Mount Elgon from sliding into a new cycle of political violence.

Report by Hudson Gumbihi, Irene Githinji, Jackline Inyanji and Bernard Lusigi