Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, flanked by members of the Linda Wananchi team, recorded a statement with Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers at Parliament following a recent attack against him in Kisumu.
Speaking on Tuesday, the delegation demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the individuals who orchestrated the violence. The group insisted on swift legal action, claiming they possess “overwhelming” evidence that links a senior state officer to the incident.
The team cautioned that they will launch a private prosecution if state agencies fail to move quickly to charge the official. Accusing the government of tolerating a rise in political thuggery, the delegation characterized the assault on the senator as a deliberate attempt to intimidate leaders through a broader pattern of state-abetted violence.
The team criticized the government’s silence on the matter, claiming that officials have failed to publicly address or condemn the assault on Osotsi. They warned that failing to hold perpetrators accountable threatens the nation’s stability, urging the state to stop protecting those who engage in political thuggery.
To sustain pressure for accountability, the group announced a public rally in Kisumu scheduled for April 26. They intend to use the gathering to mobilize supporters and demand justice for the alleged attack.
“Stop shielding hooliganism. We don’t want Kenya to go the Haiti way,” Bomachoge MP Barongo said.
Orengo Reveals Suspected Ringleader Still at Large
Siaya Governor James Orengo revealed that the individual believed to have masterminded last week’s assault on Senator Osotsi remains at large.
Although authorities currently hold three suspects in custody following the Kisumu incident, Orengo noted that the police have yet to apprehend a primary person of interest. To expedite the process, the governor petitioned Nyanza Regional Police Boss Evelyn Nyamohanga Gisiri to secure the man’s arrest.
Governor Orengo identified the individual as a central figure in the investigation, noting that CCTV footage and photographic evidence reportedly place him at the scene. He argued that the visual evidence suggests this individual actively coordinated the group involved in the violence.
“We write to formally acknowledge and appreciate the recent efforts by the police in apprehending three suspects linked to the recent attack on Osotsi. While this is a commendable step toward justice, we wish to bring to your urgent attention that several other perpetrators remain at large,” reads the letter in part.
In his formal correspondence dated April 10, the governor expressed deep frustration over the lack of progress in capturing the lead suspect.
“Of particular concern is the continued freedom of the alleged ringleader…’” Orengo’s letter states in part.
A Kisumu court has since ordered the detention of three suspects for seven days to provide investigators with sufficient time to deepen their inquiries into the assault on Senator Osotsi.
The suspects appeared before Magistrate Daniel Chumba to face charges related to robbery with violence. While the prosecution originally requested a 14-day window due to the complexity of the case and the need to secure critical evidence, the court granted a week-long period instead.
Senator Osotsi left Karen Hospital on Saturday, April 11, where he expressed gratitude to his family, supporters, and fellow leaders for their solidarity. During his discharge, he recounted the harrowing sequence of events that led to his injury.
“I must thank you for showing up for my family in this short period. Many people came to visit me in the hospital, particularly members of Linda Mwananchi,” the Senator said.
The Senator explained that he was sitting in a restaurant when he sent his security detail to a nearby location to withdraw money. Moments later, a group of 15 to 20 youths entered the building. Initially, their behavior did not alarm him.
“I was seated facing the main entrance, so I saw them coming in. They did not look hostile. They were shouting ‘Senator’. Two of them greeted me. I did not see any danger. All of a sudden, they started hitting me and asking why I was supporting one term…. Before long, I was unconscious because they hit me so hard. I tried to run away, I fell down, and they continued to hit me,” he added.
Osotsi managed to escape through the restaurant’s kitchen door, where his security team eventually evacuated him and rushed him to the hospital for treatment.
