The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has revealed details surrounding the death of George Otobe, also known as Omundu, a boda boda rider who was killed during a political rally in Mbale town, Vihiga County, on Saturday.
Incident Details
According to the DCI, Otobe, a resident of Kisumu County, allegedly stabbed Hussein Hassan in the head during an altercation around midday. Bystanders retaliated, attacking Otobe and inflicting fatal injuries.
A knife believed to have been used in the incident was recovered at the scene. A postmortem conducted at Vihiga County Referral Hospital confirmed the cause of death as multiple severe head injuries consistent with mob violence. The body was later transferred to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) for preservation.
Rally Context and Constitutional Concerns
The incident occurred on the same day as the Linda Mwananchi rally in Kakamega, led by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna. The DCI emphasized that while Article 37 of the Constitution guarantees the right to assemble, it is conditioned on participants being peaceful and unarmed.
Preliminary findings suggest rally organizers may have armed supporters, a move the DCI said violated constitutional provisions and heightened the risk of violence.
“Organisers of political rallies and public gatherings must ensure supporters remain unarmed. Failure to do so endangers lives and public order,” a DCI spokesperson stated.
Family Demands Justice
Otobe’s family has denied claims that he was a hired goon, insisting he was simply a supporter of Embakasi East MP Babu Owino. Members of the Kisumu boda boda association echoed the family’s call for justice, saying Otobe was accosted during the gathering.
Government Response
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen condemned the violence, criticizing political leaders for orchestrating chaos to gain sympathy.
“This comedy of going to meetings with teargas and carrying goons armed with knives and batons, that we will deal with firmly,” Murkomen said during a church service in Kericho County.
Conclusion
The DCI has launched a further probe to apprehend those involved in the mob killing and to investigate allegations of armed supporters at the rally. The incident underscores the urgent need for political leaders to uphold constitutional principles of peaceful assembly and safeguard public order during gatherings.
