Calls for justice dominate Kisumu bouncers’ burials

Bouncers' representative Oliver Ochieng speaking during the burial of William Omondi in Nyando, Kisumu County, on November 23, 2019. PHOTO | ONDARI OGEGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The burials took place in Nyando, Nyakach and Muhoroni sub-counties after a requiem mass for the six at Boya Primary School on Friday.

  • The six, Philip Kwach, William Omondi, Evans Onyango Ochieng, Richard Odera, David Okeyo and Elvis Odoyo Otieno left behind young families.

Demands for justice and calls for support of widows of the six bouncers who were lynched by a mob at a funeral in Busia dominated speeches at the funerals of the youths in Kisumu County on Saturday.   

The burials took place in Nyando, Nyakach and Muhoroni sub-counties after a requiem mass for the six at Boya Primary School on Friday.

YOUNG FAMILIES

The six, Philip Kwach, William Omondi, Evans Onyango Ochieng, Richard Odera, David Okeyo and Elvis Odoyo Otieno left behind young families.

They were lynched by mourners at the funeral of a prominent Busia business man Johannes Okoth who was shot dead three weeks ago by unknown assailants.

At Kakola village, in Nyando, friends, colleagues and relatives of Omondi popularly known as Sisqo described him as an honest, sharp and jovial person. He left behind a wife and three children.

His father in law, Mr Ben Onyango Onjoro narrated how he started bodybuilding while he was a student at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology before he later dropped out.

ARRESTED 

He revealed that a week to his final examinations at the institution, Sisqo was suspended over Sh200, 000 campaign money for one of the students who was contesting for a student leadership position at the university.

“One of the students who was carrying the money was robbed when drunk and was later arrested in connection with the theft. And on fearing that he could be next, he fled and returned home,” said Mr Onjoro.

He described his son-in-law as a sharp boy who studied Bachelor in Science ICT and had recently been in Qatar.

“After his return, we were to discuss on how he could get a job. A few days before he left for Busia, we were to meet over the same but this never happened,” said Mr Onjoro.  

The bouncers’ association called for justice for the six.   

Mr Oliver Ochieng, who was flanked by more than 20 members of the association, said the killing of their colleagues in Busia was an eye opener.

Mr Ochieng argued that four people, who have since been arrested over the death of the bouncers, could not kill six heavily built young men.

“We demand for justice, we want more arrests and prosecution of all those involved in the killing of the six,” said Mr Ochieng.

CAUTION

He called for caution among his colleagues going forward. He blamed the police for failing to take swift action as their colleagues were being butchered.    

"If there are any suspicions surrounding any mission, I am asking all bouncers to ensure the police know in advance," says Mr Ochieng.

He also suggested that bouncers should ask for a contractual agreement before embarking on any assignment.

Former Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma blamed his successor Anyang’ Nyong’o for sacking Omondi who was a revenue collector at Ahero township during his tenure.

“I left when Sisqo was a revenue collector. I wonder under what circumstances he was sacked. Unemployment is to blame for the tragedy that has befallen us,” said Mr Ranguma. Odera was laid to rest in Muhoroni, while Kwach was buried in Nyakach.