DCI gives Didmus Barasa 6 hours to surrender as they launch manhunt

Barasa, who has since gone into hiding, is wanted for the alleged murder of Brian Olunga whom he said to have shot dead on Tuesday, August 8 at Chebukwabi in Kimilili, Bungoma county.

In a statement on Thursday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) warned the MP that failure to do so will land him in deep waters as well as the person harbouring him.

"The Directorate of Criminal Investigations is warning Hon Didmus Barasa, who has since gone into hiding after the brutal murder of one, to surrender to the nearest police station within the next 6-hours," wrote DCI.

DCI further noted that a manhunt has been launched for the MP in bid to bring him to book.

"A specialised team of sleuths based from the elite Crime Research & Intelligence Bureau and the Homicide department has been dispatched to augment the teams on the ground for his manhunt."

Barasa, according to a police report seen by Citizen Digital, allegedly shot dead the bodyguard of Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) candidate Brian Khaemba.

Mr Khaemba, who was seeking to unseat Barasa from the Kimilili MP seat on a Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) ticket, reportedly went to Chebukwabi polling station at around 6pm to witness the counting of the votes.

He however met the incumbent legislator at the polling station, and hence decided to leave barely a few minutes after his arrival.

Mr Khaemba headed towards his car but “Didmus Barasa followed him in the company of four men and ordered them not to allow him (Mr Brian Khaemba) to leave…” read part of the report.

The aspiring MP’s driver, Joshua Nasokho, is however said to have defied Barasa’s order and ignited the vehicle.

“Didmus Barasa withdrew a pistol and aimed at Mr Khaemba's aide namely Brian Olunga and shot him on the forehead where he profusely bled,” read the police report.

Leaders allied to DAP-K, led by Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, have called for Barasa’s arrest following the incident.