A fire incident that took place at the home of Mzee Tobias Oduor in Komolo Rume village in Awendo constituency has left the family reeling in great fear.
One week after the bizarre incident that happened on the night of February 14, the compound is still littered with burnt coaches, fire debris, and a strong stench of the putrid smell.
During a visit at their home this morning, the family said they are still traumatized over the incident as the choking smell and soot from smoke still dangles on the house like a second skin.
“At times when I wake up at night, I still feel like I am burning as my hands and face were badly scorched, I recall trying to open the door before I collapsed. I recall waking up in a hospital,” narrated Oduor’s wife Suslia.
Oduor and his wife stated that they have been battling high blood pressure and diabetes and that the incident has worsened their condition.
Robert Kennedy Okong’o, Oduor’s son who is also an aspirant for Migori gubernatorial seat come August 9, said the family fears the attack has been politically motivated due to his ambition.
“All our lives we have lived here and this kind of attack has never happened until I launched my political bid.” Said Mr. Okong’o.
The family said they were shocked when their house caught fire and to their bewilderment the door was locked from outside, forcing neighbors who came to their aid to break in.
Following the arson incident that left Oduor and his family in distress, calls are being made by local activists to the security agencies to act swiftly and arrest the culprits.
On February 18, Samuel Kobia the chairperson of The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) said they have mapped out 23 counties as possible hot spots for violence before, during, and after the August elections.
The regions include Kisumu, Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, Mombasa, Nairobi, Migori, Kericho, Isiolo, Lamu, Bungoma, Kakamega, Vihiga, Trans Nzoia, Marsabit, Kiambu, Nyamira, Homa Bay, Nandi, Bomet, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Garissa and Siaya County.
Already unknown men have attacked people with teargas in Migori during political functions of presidential aspirant Jimmy Wanjigi, Senator Ochillo Ayack,o and Migori county secretary Christopher Rusana.
Peter Otiang’a, a political activist in Migori said the recent listing of the Migori County by The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) as a hot-spot zone is worrying.
“It is here in Migori where we have seen incidents of teargas hauled in rallies. We need to be assured of our safety by the police,” Otiang’a said.
Mark Wanjalla, Migori county police commander said that they have been on high alert in all incidents and active investigations are ongoing.
In addition, political tolerance calls have been made by two Migori governor aspirants Philip Mwabe and Robert Okong’o, who have challenged politicians to ensure campaigns are based on agenda and not marred with ugly scenes.
“We will still have a country and families to go back to after polls, politicians we must help the government in maintaining peace,” Mwabe said.
The NCIC boss Mr. Kobia also revealed that there are other 49 hate speech cases currently under different stages of active investigation across the country.
IAN BYRON