Doctors remove bullet from body of daughter of newly elected MCA
This photo dated October 26, 2016 shows Josphat Ekeno (right), a candidate for the Member of County Assembly seat for Kalokol ward, at Kalokol Girls Primary School. His daughter Felistus was shot on October 25, 2016. PHOTO | PETER WARUTUMO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Four-hour operation was performed at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret on Thursday.
- Attackers had earlier stormed the ODM command centre in the ward and fired several shots in the air before heading to Mr Ekeno’s home where they shot Ekaale and her 18-year-old sister. The sister as shot in the leg.
Doctors have removed a bullet that was lodged next to the heart of the daughter of newly elected Kalokol Ward Rep Josphat Ekeno, who was shot at her parents’ house on Wednesday.
The four-hour operation was performed at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret on Thursday.
Felistus Ekaale, 8, was shot by gunmen who attacked the politician’s home in Turkana on the eve of the by-election.
The attackers had earlier stormed the ODM command centre in the ward and fired several shots in the air before heading to Mr Ekeno’s home where they shot Ekaale and her 18-year-old sister. The sister as shot in the leg.
On Thursday, Ekaales mother, Mrs Rebecca Ekeno, said it took 12 hours to get her to hospital for specialised treatment.
Mrs Ekeno said an X-ray had shown the bullet lodged a few centimetres from the heart.
“We went to the theatre at around 10am and the doctors managed to remove the bullet after more than four hours. The doctors say she is out of danger,” she added.
When the Nation visited Ekaale in hospital on Thursday evening, she was asleep. “The nurses told me the doctor who operated on her will come this evening or tomorrow morning to observe her before she is discharged. This is very good news for us,” said Mrs Ekeno.
HAD FORGIVEN
On Thursday, the MCA-elect said he had forgiven those behind the shooting.
He said his life was clearly in danger on the eve of the by-election.
“All the shots were targeted at my house and at Kalokol Guest House, where I was with my supporters,” he said after being declared the winner.
“My opponents also shot my sister-in-law, injuring her. I have forgiven those behind the shooting. I also want to thank the people of Kalokol for rewarding me with victory after my daughter’s blood was shed,” he said.
He said the election was free and fair and praised security personnel for ensuring order at the tallying centre and in Kalokol Town.
ODM secretary-general Agnes Zani said: “This is not only an act of intolerance, but a threat to the lives of citizens. This happened under the Jubilee regime that constantly assures Kenyans of their security.”
The party celebrated its victory at Kalokol Primary School and later went to Kalokol Guest House and Eliye Springs on the shores of Lake Turkana, where they met Governor Josphat Nanok.
