10 arrested in probe over MP’s parents’ killing

Ten people have been arrested over the Thursday night attack in which the parents of Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor were killed, as police launched investigations into the horrifying incident.

Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Co-ordination of National Government Joseph ole Lenku said Saturday that the 10 are being interrogated by the police.

Police Inspector-General David Kimaiyo, who accompanied Mr Lenku as they visited the volatile Chemelil area of Kisumu County, said that in case insecurity persists in the area, a security operation will be launched to identify the culprits.

“There is a tendency of criminals going into hiding, only to strike again after things calm down. We are going to ensure that they are dealt with accordingly,” said Mr Kimaiyo.

Mr Kimaiyo added that while reshuffling police will not help, they will hold every person in the line of security administration responsible in such instances.

“The people who are responsible for cattle rustling are living with us, and the security men at the ground should be able to come up with the names of the people before action is taken against them,” he said.

The police chief also said that intelligence reports have it that some leaders are colluding with cattle rustlers to create tension.

“This is a warning to those who would want to see residents suffer; we will not hesitate to arrest anyone, regardless of their station,” he said.

He added that some leaders were sponsoring cattle rustling.

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Meanwhile, prominent personalities continued to offer their condolences to Mr Owuor’s family.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga yesterday visited the home and accused the government of failing to protect its citizens. He said the killings must have been pre-meditated and could thus have been prevented. Mr Odinga was accompanied by nominated senator Elizabeth Ongoro.

Professor Dominic MakAwiti, the vice-chancellor of Maseno University, whose home is a short distance away, also visited the family.

Friends and relatives who spoke to the Sunday Nation said nothing looked suspicious prior to the incident. Mr Godfrey Otieno, the last man to speak to Mr Owuor, said:

“We met as usual and discussed matters relating to our (AIC Kabete) church that has recently witnessed wrangles over leadership. At the time I left, there was no sign of impending danger.”

Mr Otieno would be called at around 1 am with the news that Mr Owuor’s main house was on fire.

It is emerging that the killing of the MP’s parents could have been co-ordinated by residents of the area in collusion with cattle rustlers from the neighbouring Kericho County. According to 83-year-old Francis Owuor, a namesake and agemate to the deceased, there exists a syndicate involving rustlers from the area who co-ordinate with others.

“For over 20 years, there have been incidents of cattle rustling in the area, with errant youths from this area collude with outsiders,” he said.

Mr Aduma, after being elected for his first term in office, became very vocal of the way the rustlers were increasingly becoming daring. He has, time and again, criticised the

The family will sit today to make burial arrangements for the bereaved.