- Ombui Orandi’s family is demanding answers after the old man died in a suspected stampede following a meeting attended by President William Ruto in Kisii
- Relatives claimed chaos erupted during alleged cash distribution near KMTC Gucha campus, resulting in serious injuries
- The police led by Ronald Kirui disputed the claims of the stampede, insisting that the incident happened away from the main venue of the event
A family in Kisii county is demanding answers after their elder died under controversial circumstances following the president’s visit.
Source: UGC
Their cries for justice have been silenced by conflicting explanations, now raising questions about what happened in the Egetuki field.
Relatives of Mzee Ombui Orandi, whose national identity card shows he was born in 1929 but whose family believes he was almost 100 years old, say he died after being trampled while residents were anxious to receive KSh 200 aid shortly after the meeting addressed by the President William Ruto.
What happened to Elder Ombui Orandi in Kisii?
According to the family, the incident happened on Wednesday, April 15, shortly after Ruto finished his speech in Bomachoge Chache State, where he had visited several development projects.
These include the establishment of the Kenya Medical Training College, the launch of the 11km Sameta-Egetuki-Ikoba road, and the ongoing inspection of the Egetuki Modern Market.
Elder Ombui had left his home in Biyonge village at about three in the morning, walking about three kilometers to Egetuki Centre, as he reportedly did almost every day despite his advanced age.
However, that day, his journey had a special meaning, as he was eager to see the Head of State in person.
Family members say the situation changed a lot after the departure of the president as the residents who had started to disperse were allegedly called back, while news spread that the money would be distributed.
What followed, they claim, is chaos that has left the family engulfed in immeasurable grief.
His son, Francis Nyabuto Ombui, said that he met his father early that morning on the road and he had told him that he was on his way to see the president.
Later, he received the sad news that his father had been found sleeping at the gate of the college KMTC Gucha.
“I met him on the street and asked him where he was going. He said he was going to see the President. After the President finished his speech, Alfa (MP) told people to enter the field. Then, inside the KMTC, he said they should form a line, but they pushed him down and trampled him,” he said.
Another son, Joshua Ombui, said his father had a hearing problem and may not have fully understood the instructions given as the crowd grew.
He claimed that people started pushing on the door, causing the old man to fall before being trampled.
How did other Obui family members explain the incident?
Witnesses from the family describe a disturbing and disturbing scene, with Teresa Kerubo, the deceased’s daughter, saying at first she believed that the death reports were about a young person.
It was only after he was informed that it was his father that he forced his way through the crowd that was spreading, where he found him lying lifeless, with visible injuries and some of his personal belongings scattered.
“We thought we were heading home, but then we heard an announcement that Alfa had told everyone to go back to the farm. Soon after, we heard that someone had died. I thought it was a small person, but then someone said to me, “Do you know your father is dead?”
I told them not to say that my father is dead. I pushed my way as people were chased away. My father was covered in blood; His shoes were off, and even his hat was left on the ground,” he said.
The family says the body was later taken to the Ogembo Mortuary, and the matter was reported to the Ogembo Police Station under OB No. 15/15/04/2026.
Source: Youtube
However, police have disputed the family’s version of events with Kisii County Police Commander Ronald Kirui dismissing claims that the stampede occurred at a presidential event.
The police boss said that the old man died away from the main hall and that no such incident was recorded during or after the meeting.
“The old man died far from where the President was, and the family’s claims are incorrect. The President addressed the public and then left, and there were no incidents of stampede,” Kirui said.
Reports from the field indicate that residents had gathered near the KMTC gate, where cash donations, known as ‘Goserwa’, were being distributed, allegedly KSh 200 per person.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga he commented, criticizing what he described as a growing culture of dependency attached to political events.
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