Goons Invade Night Vigil in Nyakach, Hack Village Elder to Death
A night vigil in Nyakach Subcounty turned tragic on Friday night when a gang of armed criminals stormed the event, brutally hacking a village elder to death. The shocking attack has left the community in mourning and raised concerns over rising insecurity in the area.
The deceased, identified as Joseph Otieno Odhiambo, 54, was attacked around 11:20 p.m. while attending a vigil for the late Peres Owuor in Saema village. Reports indicate that Odhiambo, who was part of the vigil’s security team, suffered fatal machete wounds to the head after the assailants launched a vicious attack.
According to Junior Onyango Omollo, the Assistant Chief of Kajimbo Sublocation, the attackers were individuals well known in the village.
“The deceased was among those providing security at the event. Unfortunately, they were ambushed, and he was murdered in the process by people familiar to the community,” Omollo stated.
Upper Nyakach Assistant County Commissioner, Orina Dawin, who arrived at the scene with security officers, strongly condemned the attack, calling it a barbaric act that demands swift justice.
“I strongly condemn this heinous act. Those responsible will face the full force of the law. I urge police officers to increase night patrols to curb insecurity in the area,” Orina said.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and the suspects are still at large. However, community members have pointed out two individuals from the neighboring Kagak village as possible suspects. Authorities have launched a manhunt to apprehend those behind the crime.
Meanwhile, officers from the Nyakach Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have taken over the case, and Odhiambo’s body has been moved to Nyabondo Mission Hospital morgue for a postmortem as investigations continue.
Residents are now calling on the government to enhance security measures in the region, fearing a resurgence of criminal activities that could put more lives at risk.
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Goons Invade Night Vigil in Nyakach, Hack Village Elder to Death