Livestock trader killed in Kisii

A 71-year-old livestock trader was brutally killed in Kisii in a suspected plot orchestrated by his son-in-law over a longstanding land dispute.The lifeless body of Samuel Mang’era Ogachi, a resident of Botire village in Kiabugesi sub-location, was discovered early Thursday morning on his bed, just hours after he was allegedly ambushed and assaulted by unknown assailants at Mogonga market.

According to Evans Ombuna, a close friend and eyewitness, Mang’era had visited his grandchildren at the market where his son-in-law, only identified as Denis, works as a welder.

“Denis asked Mang’era to accompany him to a nearby napier grass farm where he claimed he had seen a cow that he wanted to include as part of his dowry,” said Ombuna.

It was during this visit that Denis reportedly excused himself to fetch a panga for cutting napier grass from a neighbor. Moments later, a group of unknown assailants emerged from the thickets and launched a violent attack on the unsuspecting elder.

Ombuna said the livestock trader Mr.Mang’era, despite his injuries, was able to narrate the ordeal before he was escorted back home by his estranged wife Consolata and other family members , without receiving any medical attention.

“He was still able to speak and explained to us what had happened. But unfortunately, no one took him to hospital,” Ombuna added.

The following morning, Consolata found the door to Mang’era’s house ajar and his lifeless body lying on the bed.

Evans Asanya, the area assistant chief, strongly condemned the incident and urged law enforcement to act swiftly.

“This is a heinous act. I’m calling on police and detectives in Kenyenya sub-county to launch a full investigation at both Mogonga market and the deceased’s home,” said Asanya.

Lukas Mochengo, the deceased’s son, appealed for justice, pointing fingers at the land dispute as a possible motive.

“My father was fine when he got home. We believe this attack was linked to a land conflict he had been involved in. Justice must prevail,” he said.

Meanwhile, Beatrice Masese, a resident of Mogonga, claimed that criminal elements have been infiltrating the market under the guise of legitimate business.

“We’ve noticed suspicious people claiming to be traders but are actually thugs. The suspect must come out of hiding and report to the police,” she demanded.

Mang’era’s body was taken to the Ogembo Sub-County Hospital Mortuary as investigations into the chilling murder commence.

The murder of Samuel Mang’era Ogachi has drawn attention to a concerning trend in Kisii County, where land-related disputes have led to a significant number of violent deaths. According to reports, an average of seven individuals are killed each month in the region due to such conflicts, totaling over 126 deaths in just 17 months. These incidents often involve close family members, underscoring the deep-rooted nature of land wrangles in the area.​

Authorities have expressed growing concern. Kisii County Police Commander Ronald Kipkorir has attributed the rise in killings to factors such as population pressure, shrinking land sizes, and a lack of dialogue to resolve disputes peacefully. He emphasized that many of these cases are under investigation, with some pending in court, and warned that perpetrators will face the law.​

In response to the escalating violence, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has dispatched a team to Kisii County to conduct an inquiry into the wave of killings as it  murder cases have not only been happening in Kisii but also on national scale with them being even more devastating . The KNCHR aims to ensure justice for the victims and address the underlying issues contributing to the violence.​

Local leaders are also advocating for increased mental health awareness and community engagement to prevent further tragedies. Kisii Governor Simba Arati has called for collaborative efforts to address the root causes of the conflicts and promote peaceful resolutions.​

As investigations into Mang’era’s death continue, authorities and community leaders are urging residents to seek peaceful means of resolving land disputes to prevent further loss of life.