The violent confrontation between police and residents of Isulu in Ikolomani has continued to cause pain in the community as the death toll has now risen to four. One of the victims, who had been admitted at Kakamega County General Teaching and Referral Hospital after being shot, died while receiving treatment.
Three more people who also suffered gunshot wounds are still admitted at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Hospital in Kisumu, where their families anxiously wait for news.
Two police officers who were attacked by a group of youths during the chaos remain in critical condition. At the same time, sixty three people, including two MCAs, have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the clashes.
In the hours following the deadly incident, grief-stricken families gathered at Kakamega County Funeral Parlour to identify the bodies of their loved ones. Among them was the family of Conrad Ashioya, a carpenter described as a hardworking man who had gone about his normal duties when the unrest began.
His relatives say he was standing outside a shop in Isulu when he was shot in the leg, a wound that turned fatal.His brother, Edgar Wekesa, recounted the last moments before the tragedy.
“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,” he said, still struggling to understand what happened.
Ashioya’s father, Edward Kahavi, said the loss has left the family deeply shaken. “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,” he pleaded.
At Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Referral Hospital, Victor Alvin is counting his blessings. He survived after being shot during the demonstrations and was quickly rushed for treatment.
Two other victims remain admitted at the same facility as doctors try to stabilise them.
Meanwhile, scenes of tension played out at Kakamega Central Police Station where families camped outside, demanding the release of relatives arrested in an overnight operation. Many residents said officers broke into their homes in the middle of the night and harassed them. “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.
Another resident, Nancy Luseno, said officers came looking for her 14 year old son, leaving her frightened and confused.
Residents accuse the government of mishandling the process of acquiring land believed to contain gold worth an estimated Ksh680 billion. They claim they were not fully involved and fear private entities may benefit unfairly.
“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 resident David Makatiani.
Police have confirmed arresting sixty three people, among them Idakho Central MCA Akedius Liyayi and nominated MCA Ann Mulwale. The two are accused of funding the protests that left officers wounded. Police also say one magazine carrying sixteen bullets went missing during the chaos and efforts to recover it are ongoing.
Western Region police commander Issa Mahmoud insisted those responsible will face the law, saying, “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.”
The situation in Isulu remains tense, with officers heavily deployed to stop any further unrest as families mourn, communities wait for answers and the search for justice continues.
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