Family demands justice after 33-Year-old rider is allegedly killed by police

Irene Onyango, James Onyango's widow at her home in Nyakoko village Muhoroni Sub-County. [Rodgers Otiso, Standard]

The family of a 33-year-old boda boda rider is demanding justice after he was allegedly shot dead by police at Masogo Centre in Muhoroni, Kisumu County, in the early hours of Thursday.

James Onyango’s relatives say they were left devastated and searching for answers after receiving news that he had been shot at Masogo Market. They allege that the shooting involved a senior police officer at Masogo Police Station and are now calling on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.

Onyango’s body was later taken to Ahero Hospital mortuary, where his family went to identify him.

James Juma, an uncle to the deceased, said the family received news of the shooting on Thursday morning and immediately rushed to Masogo Centre.

"On Thursday morning, we received news that my son had been shot by police at Masogo Centre. It was unfortunate for me, so I rushed to the centre, but I did not find him. He had already been taken to the mortuary,” Juma said.

He said the family was not given a clear explanation of what had happened, leaving them with more questions about the circumstances leading to Onyango’s death.

“We were not told what happened. The police who took my son to the mortuary became silent. They later told us that my son had been violent towards them during the incident, but that is not true,” he said.

Juma said IPOA officials later visited the family at their home in Nyakoko village, where they recorded their statements and assured them that investigations would be conducted.

“IPOA came to this home, found us and took our reports. They told us they would investigate what happened. We are now waiting for them to establish the truth,” he said.

The family maintains that Onyango was shot by a senior police officer at Masogo Police Station and wants those responsible to be held accountable.

Mary Onyango, the deceased’s mother, said she received the devastating news in the early hours of Thursday and rushed to Masogo Centre, hoping to find her son.

“This is unfortunate. I received news that my son had been shot in Masogo Centre. I rushed there at about 4 a.m and found that he had already been taken to the mortuary by police,” she said.

Mary said she later went to the mortuary, where she found her son dead.

“I found him lying helpless and dead. He was not awake. This son of mine was the breadwinner in this family. He used to ride a boda boda and bring something to the table. He was a father of three,” she said.

She described his death as a devastating loss, saying the family had been left struggling to come to terms with the loss of a man who supported his children through his work.

“This is so painful. They have killed my son. I am asking for justice for my son. I will continue pushing until my son gets justice and those responsible are brought to book. I want to know what happened,” Mary said.

She recalled that her last communication with her son was on the evening before his death, when he sent money to the family to buy food.

“What I can remember is that evening before he met his death, he sent us money to go to the shopping centre and bring food for us to eat. That was my last communication with him. I am really confused. He has left three children alone with their young mother,” she said.

Irene Onyango, the deceased’s wife, said she was struggling to accept the loss of her husband, whom she described as a hardworking boda boda rider and a responsible family man.

“What I can say is that this husband of mine had never done anything bad. He was not a thief or a criminal,” she said.

Irene said Onyango had gone to Masogo Centre after completing his work as a boda boda rider, but she never saw him again.

“He had finished his job and went to Masogo Centre. That is how I have not seen him from that time. He is no more,” she said.

She said finding her husband’s body at the mortuary was devastating and has left the family demanding answers.

“I found his helpless body in the mortuary. I am now calling on IPOA to investigate and ensure those responsible are brought to book. We are pleading for justice. This was my husband. He was only 33 years old,” Irene said.

The family is now calling for an independent and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Onyango’s death, saying they want to know what happened at Masogo Market and why their kin was shot.

They are also demanding that anyone found culpable be held accountable, saying they will continue seeking justice for Onyango and his three children.

Efforts to get a comment from the Independent Policing Authority (IPOA) was however, futile.