Grief has engulfed Chenjeni village in Chevaywa location in Matete in Lugari after a man was stabbed to death over what is believed to be a difference arising from political affiliations. It’s alleged that the late Gerishom Kwoba was a strong supporter of Amani National Congress (ANC) and he met his death after differing with Ford Kenya and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) supporters.
According to the parents Mr Samson Elima Sirengo and Mrs Rhoda Elima their son left home on Monday mid-morning but never returned before they received the shocking news of his death later at about 8:30 pm.
“There was a Ford Kenya rally within this area and my son likes politics. I talked to him in the morning and he was in a jovial mood and when I asked whether he was going to the rally, he told me he won’t go but I was shocked to hear that his death resulted from the rally,” narrated Mzee Sirengo adding that he almost fainted when he reached the scene and found his son lying in a pool of blood.
The widow, Mrs Robai Kwoba told the media that her husband, who served in the area MP Ayub Savula’s private security team, left home on Sunday to join the MP’s rallies and returned Monday morning.
However, after taking breakfast he insisted he wanted to go to Lumani market claiming he had stayed long without going to the place.
The widow who has been left with five children aged between 2 – 13 years has appealed for assistance to enable her to take care of the young family adding that the family had no land and her husband was the only bread winner.
Eyewitnesses narrated to the press events leading to Mr Kwoba’s murder stating that trouble broke out while at a Ford Kenya rally where he opposed a move by the Kakamega Senator Dr Bonny Khalwale to campaign for Lugari parliamentary candidate on a Ford Kenya ticket Joseph Karungani Lunani.
He instead requested Khalwale just to ask for his votes arguing that Lugari residents had already made up their minds to vote for Savula.
It’s alleged that the deceased was then called before the crowd at Lumani market dressed in a Ford Kenya T-shirt and cap but still insisted that he will support the re-election of the current MP Ayub Savula.
Later that evening Kwoba teamed up with his friends at one of the pubs at Lumino centre where he is said to have been accosted by two men believed to be ODM supporters whom he had had trouble with in the past.
“The three engaged each other in quarrels and abuses for some time before one of the suspects only identified as Nabiswa unleashed a knife and stabbed Kwoba in the stomach and a fight broke out where Nabiswa went on stabbing the deceased more than ten times in the chest and other parts of the body killing him on the spot,” explained Mr. Levy Juma one of the witnesses who said their efforts to help their friend bore no fruits as the attackers turned on them threatening to kill them too before they fled the scene.
The body was removed to Webuye Sub County Hospital for post mortem as police launched a manhunt for the two suspects.
While addressing residents, area MP Ayub Savula condemned the killing and called on police to speed up the investigation and ensure the culprits are held responsible.
Savula said it was disappointing that the attackers had earlier threatened five of his supporters including the deceased and urged police to provide security to the remaining four who have been targeted to be eliminated before the August 8th general elections.
He also appealed to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to investigate politicians who are alleged to behind the murder.
Area OCPD Justus Maina said police had launched an investigation into the incident assuring the bereaved family that justice will be observed.
Lugari Sub County Criminal Investigation Officer Mr Bakari Ndzovu has confirmed the arrest of the suspects nabbed on Tuesday night while in the hideout.