Woman screams for help as son chases her with panga

A man carrying a machete. A gang of about six young men armed with pangas attacked villagers in Kagujo, Kisauni, on January 1, 2019 as they celebrated the New Year. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • A 23-year-old man chased his mother while wielding a panga and she raised the alarm.
  • He has many times threatened to kill her, and he recently threatened to rape her and his grandmother.
  • Police say they will charge him with attempting to kill his mother.

Police have arrested a 23-year-old man in Rachuonyo South, Homa Bay County, accused of assaulting his mother.

Ronney Ouma was arrested at their home in Kendu Village on Saturday night after his mother Hellen Adhiambo raised the alarm and villagers intervened as he was chasing her with a machete.

THREATS

Ramba Location Chief Joseph Ochieng Ndege said he rushed to the scene and arrested Mr Ouma for attempting to kill his mother.

He was also found in possession of bhang.

Mr Ndege said Mr Ouma has many times threatened to kill his mother, especially when he comes home drunk and does not find any food.

"The culprit has threatened his mother several times," he said.

Ms Adhiambo added that Mr Ouma had threatened to rape her and his grandmother.

DISPUTE

Ms Adhiambo said her son attacked her when she inquired about the money he received after selling sand at their home. He had also cut down all the trees in the home.

“He had been selling sand located in the family land but refusing to hand over the money," the widow said.

She said she has been spending nights outside her home.

Homa Bay County Police Commander Marius Tum confirmed said the suspect would be arraigned in court.

“We shall take him to court for attempting to kill his mother and being in possession of bhang," he said.

VANDALISM

Meanwhile, police officers on Sunday rescued a guard from a lynch mob in Homa Bay Town.

The mob, mainly boda boda operators, had accused the guard of colluding with criminals to vandalise solar street lights in the town.

This was after one of the street lights at the entrance of the hotel where he works was vandalised on Saturday night.

"He was manning the gate at night when the light was being cut. He could have raised an alarm. We suspect he knows the person who did this," said a resident.

Some people suspected that he could even be the ring leader of the vandals.

PROTECT

The Homa Bay County Government has raised a red flag over the disappearance of solar street lights in the county.

Governor Cyprian Awiti said the county spent up to Sh200 million to install the lights.

"The project is barely two years old. It is very unfortunate that a group of criminals is now stealing the solar light to be resold at a lower price," he said.

Residents said they would take up the responsibility of guarding the lights. Area Chief Bob Lango urged them not to take security matters into their own hands.

"You may kill an innocent person for a crime he did not commit. Let police officers do their investigations. I assure you that the suspects will be apprehended," he said.