Seasoned journalist Kepher Otieno is fighting for his life following an attack by unknown assailants at his house located in Nyamasaria Kisumu East Sub-County.
Kepher, a Kisumu-based journalist who works for the People Daily Newspapers, sustained an injury after being severely hit on the head with an object.
“I’m greatful to the Almighty God that I am still alive. I can recall when they were running away, one of them mentioned the name Bernard… let’s go. As I lay down in pain and anguish, I heard someone inquiring whether they had finished me,” Kepher narrated to those who paid him a visit, who included Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabbir, at one of the Kisumu hospitals.
According to his son, the attackers struck some minutes before 2am today.
“I was still awake and I heard my father shouting for help that thugs had invaded us. They had forcibly gained entry into the house after they brought down the steel door using tarimbo(iron rods),” he said during an interview with a section of journalists at the health facility earlier today.
He says he saw five mean-looking thugs inside the house who clobbered them, including their uncle Caleb Onyango, who had paid them a visit.
“They kept on hitting my father’s head. They ransacked the house and carted away two television sets, two mobile phones, and other unknown house valuables,” he painfully narrated the ordeal.
Kepher’s son added that the neighbours were barred by another support group comprising more than five armed gangs strolling in the compound.
As their cry for help continued to rent the air, he explained the attackers scampered into the night safety as they with the neighbours tried to hotly pursue them in vain.
Lately, the lakeside city has been experiencing a steady rise in violent and burglary attacks orchestrated by marauding gangs.
On Tuesday night, a combined operation led by Kisumu East Sub-County Police Commander Edward Wafula, Migosi Police Station officers, and Quick Response Team (QRT)nabbed ten suspected gangsters, including a female.
Crude weapons were recovered in Kibos, Ogango Kunya, and Elgons areas.
Less than a month ago, Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga decried the spate of criminal activities as he suggested the establishment of vigilante groups in hot spots to address the menace to society.
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has been at the forefront in urging the public and law enforcers to handle journalists and media professionals as; “mere messengers and not enemies,” as they strive to foster transparency and accountability.
Hon Shakeel joined the Kisumu journalists in castigating the night attacks vowing to work with the police to come up with an amicable solution to the criminal activities in the area.
The motive of the heinous attack on Kepher, who is also a regular columnist at The Eyes Watch, still remains unknown as law enforcers are set to launch investigations.
QR to Kepher Otieno. The runaway insecurity in Kisumu must be tamed ASAP.