Death toll rises to four as tensions escalate in Ksh.608B Kakamega gold dispute

Three other people who sustained gunshot wounds are admitted at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Hospital in Kisumu, with two police officers who were attacked by goons in critical condition. Meanwhile, 63 people, among them two MCAs, have been arrested over alleged involvement in the chaos.

Hours after the deadly clash in Isulu, Ikolomani, families of the four people who lost their lives after police opened fire during protests in the area were at Kakamega County Funeral Parlour to identify the bodies of their kin.

We caught up with the family of the late Conrad Ashioya, a carpenter who, according to kin, was out working when the chaos started.

“Ashioya nilimtuma aendee aletee tape measure kwa mhindi vile alifika kwa mhindi baadaye nikaskia milio ya risasi ikipigwa kuenda kuangalia nikapata ndugu yangu ako chini amepigwa risasi so sijui yenye ilikuwa inaendelea nataka haki itendekee,” said Edgar Wekesa, Ashioya's brother.

“Yeye amekuwa tegemeo yangu, yeye ndio amekuwa macho yangu, kitu naomba serikali tuangalia haki hata kama wale gavana wetu watusaidie waangalie ni nini ilifanya mtoto wangu auliwe,” said Edward Kahavi, Ashioya's father.

The family says he was shot in the leg while standing outside a shop in Isulu. At Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Referral Hospital in Kisumu, Victor Alvin counts himself lucky after he got a brush with death.

He was shot during the demonstrations and rushed to the facility to receive treatment. Two other people who sustained gunshot wounds are admitted at the same hospital.

Meanwhile at Kakamega Central Police Station, families camped at the station demanding the release of their loved ones who were arrested during an overnight operation. The group complained of harassment from police who conducted a door-to-door operation in the area.

“Tulikuwa tumelala saa nane usiku tukaskia mlango inabishwa, mabati inagongwa tufungue mlango, wakati tulifungua wakachukua watoto pamoja na baba yao wakaanza kuwapiga kuuliza nikapigwa kofi,” said Seferina Muhandachi, resident, Isulu.

“Mtoto wangu ako na 14 years na ako Grade 8. Hao watu walikuja kwangu saa kumi na nusu wakaniita ‘Mama Allan fungua mlango tunataka Allan’. Nikawauliza jana mkimchukua hamkurudisha,” said Nancy Luseno, resident, Isulu.

Residents are accusing the government of being insincere in the process of acquiring their land for the purpose of mining gold with an estimated value of Ksh.680 billion.

“If the government has agreed with us to mine gold they must advertise the tender all over the world and whoever wins should be brought to us. Shanta is a private entity, we don't know who they're,” said David Makatiani, resident, Isulu.

Police have confirmed the arrest of 63 people, including Idakho Central MCA Akedius Liyayi and nominated MCA Ann Mulwale, who are accused of funding the protests which left two police officers in critical condition. Police say they're searching for one magazine with 16 bullets which went missing during the chaos.

“Mwenye kugonga huyo ofisa dada kichwa tumemshika tuko naye, mwenye kuharibu mali ya shule tuko nao ambao wametambuliwa na officers na wananchi, we have the real guys na tuko hapa na hatuchoki,” said Issa Mahmoud, police commander, Western Region.

Tension is still high in the area with police deployed to stop any protests.