Police in Nyakach Sub-county, Kisumu, are investigating the brutal murder of a village elder who was attacked by suspected criminals during a night vigil on Friday.
Joseph Otieno Odhiambo, 54, was fatally hacked when assailants stormed the vigil for the late Peres Owuor in Saema village at around 11:20 p.m.
The attackers slashed him multiple times with machetes, inflicting deep head wounds and killing him on the spot.
According to Junior Onyango Omollo, Assistant Chief of Kajimbo Sub-location, Odhiambo was part of the security team at the event when the attackers struck.
“The deceased was providing security as usual when they were ambushed. Sadly, he was murdered in the process by people well known in the village,” Omollo stated.
Upper Nyakach Assistant County Commissioner Orina Dawin, who visited the scene with security officers, condemned the killing as a heinous act that has left the village in mourning.
“I strongly condemn this barbaric murder. Those responsible will face the full force of the law. I urge police officers to heighten night patrols to curb insecurity in the area,” Orina stated.
While the motive behind the attack remains unclear, community members have identified two suspects, Stephen Ondigo and his brother, Collins Ondigo, from the neighboring Kagak village.
Nyakach Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers moved the body to Nyabondo Mission Hospital morgue for a postmortem as investigations continue.
