Mombasa MCA arrested for murder of Migori activist on Valentine's Day

MCA Paul Oswago of Junda ward in Mombasa county, who is being held at Kamagambo police station over the murder of political activist and Migori County Youth Forum organising secretary Shem Shefa on February 14, 2016. Photo/ELKANA JACOB
MCA Paul Oswago of Junda ward in Mombasa county, who is being held at Kamagambo police station over the murder of political activist and Migori County Youth Forum organising secretary Shem Shefa on February 14, 2016. Photo/ELKANA JACOB

A Mombasa MCA has been termed a "prime suspect" in the Valentine's Day murder of a political activist during a drinking spree in Rongo town.

Junda MCA Paul Oswago is in police custody pending investigations into the death of Shem Shefa, who was also Migori County Youth Forum

organising secretary.

“Right now he is not an honourable member but a suspect. He will be a guest of the state until next Tuesday when High Courts, where murder charges are tried,

will be open," said Rongo OCPD Jonathan Muganda.

Muganda told the Star on phone on Wednesday that Owago and four other suspects are being held at Kamagambo police station.

Rongo AP Commandant David Ng’etich, who

termed the MCA a prime suspect in the killing, said "one John Oswago Onje" called Shefa out of Stage Park bar before the attack at about 8.45pm.

Shem Shefa, a political activist and Migori County Youth Forum organising secretary

Ng'etich told the press on Monday that the other suspects are believed to have been waiting for Shefa outside the bar, in the incident that followed a quarrel.

"They attacked him using sharp objects and cut him several times. He died at the scene,” Ng’etich said, adding police found several pangas believed to have been used in the attack.

He said Shefa knew the suspects

as they were from the same area of the town.

John Kennedy, Nominated MCA representing youths, said he knew the MCA "very well" and that the incident was unfortunate.

Governor aspirants Anne Omodho Anyanga, Mark Nyamita and George Oywer issued statements condemning the incident.

“We are yet to start official campaigns during which most of our youths are killed in the same old fashion; using pangas and knives. The attacks, especially in Rongo and Awendo subcounties, should be investigated,” Anyanga told the Star on phone on Monday.

Other leaders and youths condemned the murder via social media.

The body was taken to Homa Bay Hospital mortuary and then to Rose Wood mortuary in Rongo town.

WATCH: The latest videos from the Star