Siaya Governor James Orengo now says the man believed to be behind last week’s assault of Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi is still walking free.
Despite three suspects being in custody following the Kisumu incident, Orengo indicates that a key person of interest in the attack has yet to be arrested.
Consequently, Governor Orengo has written to Nyanza Regional Police Boss Evelyn Nyamohanga Gisiri seeking the arrest of the individual.
The Governor described the individual as a central figure in the case, stating that available photographic and CCTV material appears to place him at the scene of the attack and suggests he was coordinating the group involved.
“We write to formally acknowledge and appreciate the recent efforts by the police in apprehending three suspects linked to the recent attack on Osotsi. While this is a commendable step toward justice, we wish to bring to your urgent attention that several other perpetrators remain at large,” reads the letter in part.
“Of particular concern is the continued freedom of the alleged ringleader…’,” Orengo’s letter dated April 10, states in part.
Already, a Kisumu court has ordered the detention of three suspects linked to the reported assault of Osotsi for seven days, to allow investigators time to advance inquiries into the incident.
Three suspects were arraigned before Magistrate Daniel Chumba in connection with a reported robbery with violence case stemming from the attack on the senator.
The prosecution had sought 14 days to hold the suspects, citing the complexity of the investigation and the need to gather critical evidence.
On Saturday 11, Senator Osotsi was discharged from the Karen Hospital where he thanked leaders, supporters and his family for standing by him as he recounted the sequence of events that preceded the attack.
“I must thank you for showing up for my family in this short period. Many people came to visit me in the hospital, particularly members of Linda Mwananchi,” the Senator said.
Osotsi, who was seated at a restaurant, explained that he had sent his security officer to withdraw money from a nearby location, a short distance from where he was seated, when moments later, a group of between 15 and 20 youths entered the complex.
“I was seated facing the main entrance, so I saw them coming in. They did not look hostile. They were shouting ‘Senator’. Two of them greeted me. I did not see any danger.”
“All of a sudden, they started hitting me and asking why I was supporting one term…. Before long, I was unconscious because they hit me so hard. I tried to run away, I fell down, and they continued to hit me,” he added.
Osotsi said he ran through the kitchen door of the restaurant, where his security team managed to evacuate him to safety and later to hospital.
