Locals of Bomachoge Chache, Kisii were left in anger and irreplaceable loss af a village elder who had aged gracefully, before meeting a disturbing death which unfortunately erupted all because of political handouts of Ksh 200 per person.
The deceased’s family is now seeking answers and justice following the controversial death of the patriarch who had lived for 100 years.
According to the family, Mzee Ombui Orandi died in a stampede after he was caught up in chaos that erupted moments after a presidential address on Wednesday, where residents were allegedly scrambling for cash handouts.
According to his family, the elder walked nearly three kilometres to Egetuki grounds, eager to see the President who visited the area on his final day in Kisii, unaware it would be his final journey.
Moments after the President concluded his address, the family claims, the residents were called back into the field, where a scramble for money that was dished out at Ksh.200 each by a local politician turned chaotic, ending in a deadly stampede.
“Vile rais alimaliza speech yake tukafikiria tunarudi nyumbani ndio tukaskia sauti kwamba Alfa amesema kila mtu arudi uwanjani.. muda kidogo tukaskia eti mtu amekufa… nikafikiri ni vijana mtu akaniambia eti unajua babako amekufa nikamwambia usiseme eti babangu amekufa.. nikanyemelea na watu walikuwa wanakimbizwa.. baba alikuwa na damu, viatu imetoka ata kofia yake ilibaki chini,” she painfully said.
The family says they later reported the incident to police, hoping for justice and clarity.
However, Kisii County Police Commander Ronald Kirui has dismissed the claims, saying the elder died far from the venue where the President addressed residents and that no stampede was recorded.
