Family of man killed during Linda Mwananchi rally in Kisii demands justice

For the family of Vincent Osiemo, alias Mapinduzi, the pain of losing their loved one remains raw. One week after violence erupted in Keumbu during Linda Mwananchi rallies, they say justice remains elusive.

The convoy was attacked, leaving one person dead, several others injured, and several vehicles damaged.

The family expressed frustration over what they described as the slow pace of justice, saying they are yet to see those responsible held accountable.

"Wale walimuua, serikali ihakikishe kabla hajazikwa haki yake imetendeka,” said a family member, Florence Kemunto.

They say that despite the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) assuring Kenyans that all perpetrators would be brought to book, they have been left with even more pain after court files relating to the seven suspects who had been arrested reportedly went missing, leading to the suspects' release.

"Wale goons walikamatwa warudishwe kortini kama haki itatendeka kwa ndugu yetu,” another family member, Henry Machuki, added.

The family's cry for justice comes even as Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhanda, who was summoned over the violence, returned to Keumbu.

Days after being summoned by police, he declared that he would not be intimidated.

"Sasa wanataka kugeuzia mbunge. Wale wanasema mimi ndio niliorganise, waliniona hapo? Waliniona nikirusha mawe?" MP Jkhanda stated.

Jhanda told residents of Keumbu that locals had responded to attacks from individuals he described as hired goons who had accompanied the Linda Mwananchi convoy.

"They are the ones who attacked our people with their goons. Vijana wetu walienda kututetea,” the MP added.

It remains unclear whether Jhanda will appear before the DCI offices in Kisii, with police remaining tight-lipped on the matter.

According to his family, Osiemo was travelling in the Linda Mwananchi convoy when it was ambushed by a group of youths armed with clubs and stones in the Keumbu area as the leaders made their way towards Keroka.

Videos captured during the attack show vehicles attempting to speed away as stones rained on the convoy.

It is during the chaos that Osiemo is said to have fallen from one of the vehicles before suffering fatal injuries.

Eight suspects linked to the violence were arrested even as the detectives probing the chaos also summoned MP Zaheer Jhanda to record a statement over the ugly incident.