The government through the Ministry of Interior has condemned the heinous and outrageous murder of an adult male that took place on 12th of July, close to the Khayega market in Shinyalu area Kakamega County.
This is after a shocking video footage emerged over the weekend on social media, showing a helpless man being hacked to death as villagers around him watched.
The police immediately launched a massive operation in the area and have since arrested 26 suspects.
Those arrested include the Ag. Chief of the area, a suspected murderer, the owner of the crude weapon used in the murder, as well as individuals who stood by and watched the merciless act unfold without taking any action.
According to the police, the area chief was in very close proximity of the scene of the crime and failed to take any administrative action. Seven suspects have already appeared before Kakamega High Court.
Kakamega magistrate Hazel Wandere has ordered the detention of four suspects Francis Muse, Agapitus Ingosi, Evans Ashimundu and Reuben Shitambachi at Shinyalu police station awaiting completion of investigations by the officer in charge Athman Ali. The case will be mentioned on 13th August 2019.
The victim of the incident, who allegedly stole a chicken, has not been identified. His fingerprints have been taken for forensic analysis and identification.
Interior CS Matiangi said that he is gravely concerned with what seems to be a regular occurrence of violent crime with impunity in the aforementioned area. “I am informed and in concurrence with the IG’s directive, to have the operation to flush out criminals continue, until all those responsible for conducting, aiding the same are arrested,” he said.
He urged residents not to take the law into their own hands but to report criminal activity of any shape or form to the nearest police station or post without fear of recrimination, as no one is above the law. “Citizens stand reminded that only a court of law has the authority to adjudicate someone’s guilt or innocence,” he added.
