Gang attacks Sharon Otieno's uncle in Nairobi

Sharon Otieno's parents Douglas Otieno (left) and Melida Auma (centre), flanked by their relatives, address journalists at their home in Magare village, Homa Bay County, on September 12, 2018. They want justice for their murdered child. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The family had earlier raised concerns on their safety after it emerged that some people were trying to push them to soften their stance on their daughter’s death.
  • Journalist Oduor was abducted alongside Sharon but managed to escape after jumping out of the moving car.

An incident where an uncle of slain Rongo University student Sharon Otieno was attacked by unknown people has left the entire family in fear.

Last week, more than five people attacked a younger brother of Ms Otieno's father, Mr Douglas Otieno, as he walked to his Nairobi house from work.

Fortunately, he fought off the attackers who tried to force him into a waiting car. They seemed keen on hiding their identities and fled the scene when he raised alarm.

The young man, a welder in one of the city estates, escaped unhurt. But he lost his phone and wallet which had his personal belongings.

He reported the case at Mawe Mbili Police Station on Kangundo Road, OB number 03/20/09/018.

JUSTICE

The thugs told him to be careful; that he will know this is Kenya; and that they are more Kenyan than him. Utajua hii ni Kenya na sisi ni Wakenya zaidi yako … they said in Kiswahili,” Ms Otieno's father said.

Speaking at his Magare home in Homa Bay County, Mr Otieno said the attackers seemed to have trailed his brother for long with the thought that he might be the force behind the family’s push for justice for their murdered kin.

“My brother called me on Wednesday morning to inform me of the incident. This is after he borrowed a phone from a friend since his had been stolen,” Mr Otieno said.

He said the attackers ambushed his brother as he was about to enter his house. They had parked their vehicle by the roadside.

SAFETY

Three men first came out, armed with pangas and axes, and confronted Ms Otieno's uncle. More men joined them and tried to force him into a vehicle but he resisted.

“This incident has scared us, adding us more agony. How could my daughter’s killers be so inhuman to the extent of following us up and threatening to kill us? We plead with the police to get to the bottom of this incident.”

The family had earlier raised concerns on their safety after it emerged that some people were trying to push them to soften their stance on their daughter’s death.

"We live in fear," Mr Otieno said.

THREATS

He went on: "We urge the police to help us during this trying moment."

Two weeks ago, while flanked by his wife Melida Auma, Mr Otieno said there were deliberate attempts to silence them.

Also, people who came into contact with Nation journalist Barack Oduor, and the university student before she was killed, have been receiving threats from unknown people.

Mr Oduor was abducted alongside Ms Otieno but managed to escape after jumping out of the moving car.

On Sunday, the family declined to comment on the arrest of Migori Governor Okoth Obado, one of the suspects in the murder.