- Kuria West legislator Mathias Robi speaking to the press in his home in Mabera on Sunday said what happened was unfortunate.
- He said after leaders and police spoke tension should be scaled down.
Image: MANUEL ODENY
Suspected ring leaders in violent insecurity demonstrations in Isebania town where six people were shot dead by police are living in fear.
The suspected ring leaders have been forced to escape to Tanzania as Independent Police Oversight Authority have launched investigations over the violent demonstrations.
On May 25, four people were shot dead as mourners and demonstration in funeral procession of Moses Mwangi, a traders murdered by thugs, tried to invade Isebania police station.
A day later on May 26, two more people were also shot dead by police in fresh demonstration forcing both senior security officers and community leaders to restore calm in the area.
But until Sunday, those fearing police reprisal after being profiled as ringleaders have been forced to flee to Tanzania fearing attacks.
“I have a family which looks up to me and in case anything happens in my life, I want to let the world know I feel unsafe,” John Musa, a trader and a politician who unsuccessfully vied for Isebania ward seat in last polls said.
Musa was among three people, including Peter Hamisi Chacha and Nsato alais Mwanywele, who were singled out by OB 21 20/25/5/2023 as ring leaders during the May 25 violent demonstrations.
“I was at home when I saw my name on a police report circulating in social media, it was in the evening and I had to sneak and seek refugee in Tanzania, I occasionally come home but I am feeling unsafe,” Musa said.
The report said the three among others managed a pickup which had youths with stones, machere and pangas in attacking the Isebania police station.
Several items were destroyed as police said the gang wanted to loot the station's armoury and release prisoners including suspects arrested over insecurity and threatened to lynch them.
“There is no single evidence against me and I call for IPOA to come to our aid since some of us are scared. The problem is that since Isebania is a border town, the public request to have police officers removed did not go well with some of them,” Musa said.
Kuria West legislator Mathias Robi speaking to the press in his home in Mabera on Sunday said what happened was unfortunate and after leaders and police spoke tension should be scaled down.
“We want proper investigations to ensure the incident is captured and justice is done to both police and victims without breaking the law further,” Robi said.
On Friday, Migori county police commander Mark Wanjala and Migori Deputy Governor Gimunta Mahiri among others led a joint meeting between police and the community to restore calm in the area.