Robbers beat to death 4 Homa Bay watchmen

HOMA Bay residents woke up to a rude shock yesterday after four watchmen were brutally killed by gangsters. A gang of about seven men tied up the guards and beat them to death before breaking into a leading supermarket. According to Shivling Supermarket manager Rajesh Patel, the thugs stole more than Sh1.4 million in cash and electronic goods.

Three watchmen were guarding the supermarket while the fourth one was watching over a butchery, a few metres away. Police sources said the fourth watchman was killed when he went to the rescue of his colleagues at the 1.30am incident. Homa Bay police chief, Francis Kumut, identified the victims as Samwel Ogola Ouko, 52, Dickson Andata Agunda, 50, Samwel Aguko, 49, who were employees of Luore Security firm and Odiwor Awasi Ogenya, 54.

Kumut said they have launched investigation and hope to arrest the culprits soon. Police took the bodies to the local district hospital. The murder which happened about 800 metres from a police post has left most residents worried for their safety. Government officials including Nyanza PPO Joseph Ole Tito and Provincial Criminal Investigative Officer Joseph Mugwanja visited the crime scene.

Others included area DO I Anderson Ayuko, and DCIO Patrick Nyakundi among others. The PPO condemned the incident and said they will speed up the investigation to come to the root of the matter. Leaders led by former Rangwe MP Philip Okundi, who visited the scene, condemned the incident and called for justice. Okundi told the police to enhance security to prevent such incidents which may deter potential investors. Magret Achieng narrated how her husband Dickson Andata left home on Sunday after spending the whole day at home. The mother of five said she got the information about the death of her husband at around 6.30 in the morning from one of his relatives.