Ugenya family seeks justice after police vehicle allegedly crashed kin to death

According to the family, the Police Land Cruiser that had gone to execute an auction exercise on December 28, 2023 crashed Austine Odhiambo to death, as auctioneers attached their three in-calf cows.

Austin’s father Boniface Opondo details that the deceased met his death when police officers who came to execute the auction order allegedly dragged him before he fell and was ran over by the Land Cruiser.

He states that the deceased had tried to question in vain, why the cows were being auctioned and had decided to take photos using his phone, when one of the officers allegedly held his hand as the vehicle was moving.

Mzee Opondo adds that the deceased fell down before he was ran over by the rear tyre of the Land Cruiser. He was rushed to the nearby Ukwala sub-county hospital where he died on arrival.  

The deceased’s mother Roseline Awino says that they have gone through serious frustrations in the hands of security agencies in the region since the incident took place.

Austin’s younger brother Collins Otieno laments that when they went to Ukwala police station to follow up on the matter, they realized that the statement had been distorted forcing them to proceed to seek the intervention of the County Police Commander’s office.

One of the neighbors, Enock Otieno who claims that the officers did not even have a legitimate auction order, accused the police of overstepping their mandate and therefore called on top security agencies in the county and regionally to come to their aid so that justice can prevail.

Member of the County Assembly for West Ugenya Ward Oduor Odongo, who visited the family on Wednesday condemned the whole incident and equally demanded justice. He vowed to ensure that the liable police officer is brought to book.

The Bungoma based Rhemat Auctioneers had alleged that one Lucy Akinyi Owino who was once married to the deceased owed First Community savings and credit co-operative society limited a debt of Ksh. 13,800 while auctioneers fee was Ksh. 81,300.

Siaya County police commander Cleti Kimaiyo confirmed the incident, saying however that there were conflicting reports on exactly what led to the death of Austin. 

Kimaiyo states that the report that he got from Ukwala police station was that the deceased attempted to jump into the vehicle and missed grip then fell on the ground.

The County Police boss stated however that he has already ordered the County Criminal Investigations officer to take over the matter, assuring the family that if an officer is found culpable, they will not be spared.