A family in Mawe Tatu Sub-Location in Likuyani Sub-County, Kakamega County, is seeking justice after unknown assailants picked their kin from his house on Wednesday night, lynched him, and burnt his body.
The family of Josphat Etyang, 28, said that just like other neighbors, it was woken up by shouts and chants at night, only for them to realize a few minutes later that it was their kin who was being killed.
Beatrice Wanyonyi, the mother of the deceased, said the family is still reeling in shock and worried that the assailants who last year in June demolished their houses will still come back for another family member.
She said, “We are worried as a family. Those involved came for my son at around 10 o’clock at night, and I didn’t hear him cry for help because they wrapped and carried him away in his own blanket.
“We were woken up by screams later. Upon checking the deceased’s house, he was missing. He had been taken away by his killers,” she mourned.
“We heard people chanting circumcision songs only to realize later they were singing for my son. Etyang was deaf, so we couldn’t hear him cry for help. He was beaten to death and set ablaze,” she explained.
Wanyonyi said they are suspicious, as they are now being told to go and report to various offices, unlike last year when their houses were demolished by known people and no one came to their rescue.
She said the family doesn’t understand why their son was killed and wants those involved in his death arrested.
“We want those involved arrested. Let the government assist us because those who picked and brutally killed my last-born son are known boda-boda operators,” she stated.
Mawe Tatu Assistant Chief Moses Shiundu regretted the incident, calling on members of the public not to take the law into their own hands but rather hand over those they suspect to the authorities.
He said, “On the fateful night I received information that unknown people had gone to the homestead of Beatrice Wanyonyi in Mitoto village at around 10 p.m. and picked up the deceased, whom they allege was part of the gang that has been carrying out criminal activities in the village.
“It is not the first time the family has been linked to crime because two brothers of the deceased have in the past been arrested and jailed,” said the assistant chief.
Shiundu condemned the brutal murder of the deceased, saying the perpetrators of the heinous act have no right to kill.
“As a government we shall do everything to ensure those involved are brought to book. We should always utilize government offices to resolve our issues rather than resort to mob justice,” he said.
by Melechezedeck Ejakait
