NAIROBI, Kenya — A taxi driver injured during the August 15 violence in Homa Bay is set to receive help to rebuild his livelihood after Linda Mwananchi’s lead, Edwin Sifuna, pledged that the Linda Mwananchi team would replace the vehicle he lost in the chaos.
Sifuna made the commitment after reading The Standard‘s account of Steven Otieno, a Nyalenda, Kisumu resident who says he was badly injured when a mob attacked a group of people travelling from Homa Bay.
“I have read this story in today’s Standard. We will replace your vehicle Steven. The @LindaMwananchi_ team will be in touch,” Sifuna wrote on X.
The intervention comes after Steven said he had been left unable to work for more than a month following the attack, while the Subaru Legacy he was driving was set ablaze.
Taxi Driver Caught in Homa Bay Violence
Steven had been hired to drive Mable Zuena, also known as Abigael Gikonyo, to a Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay.
He says he picked up Zuena from the airport at about 6:30pm on August 15 and drove her to her residence. The following day, he took her to Milimani, where members of the Linda Mwananchi movement were mobilising before travelling to Homa Bay.
According to Steven, the group encountered violence while leaving the area later that day.
He says that between about 5:30pm and 6pm, groups of youths armed with machetes and rungus stopped their vehicle and demanded money and phones.
“They demanded everything from us, our phones and money. One of them asked for Sh100. I gave him Sh100 and another one asked for another Sh100, which I also gave,” Steven said.
He says they were directed towards a nearby church for safety, but another group surrounded the vehicle and forced the occupants out.
Steven Sustains Serious Injuries
Steven says he was attacked with a machete and suffered deep cuts to his face, back, arms, hands and feet.
His arm was fractured, while injuries to his back and foot required medical treatment. He eventually lost consciousness.
Another passenger, identified as Agneta, was also attacked as she attempted to run towards a nearby homestead, according to Steven.
The attackers allegedly followed them towards the church, where a vehicle that had been driven into the compound for safety was also destroyed.
The Subaru Legacy Steven had been driving was parked near the church gate and was later set ablaze.
People who witnessed the attack contacted his mother, Irene Adhiambo, who was informed that her son had been seriously injured.
A rescue team arrived about 30 minutes later and took Steven to hospital, where his wounds were stitched.
His mother subsequently arranged for him to be transferred to Nightingale Hospital in Kisumu, where he was discharged after about three days.
Steven says his recovery remains incomplete and that he continues to attend hospital appointments because of the fractured arm and injuries to his back.
“I am still nursing the wounds. My arm is fractured and my back has not healed. I still have to go to hospital, but I cannot work,” he said.
Torched Car Leaves Steven Without Livelihood
The loss of the Subaru has added to Steven’s difficulties.
He says the vehicle did not belong to him but to his sister, whom he describes as a young widow who had entrusted it to him so he could earn an income.
“I was only an agent. The vehicle was not mine. It belonged to a young widow (my sister) who had given it to me to do business with because I knew how to drive,” he said.
Before getting the vehicle, Steven had worked as a boda boda rider. He says driving the Subaru had allowed him to earn a living and help support his parents.
His injuries have prevented him from returning to work, while the destruction of the vehicle means he no longer has the means to resume his livelihood even after recovering.
His mother says the situation has placed additional pressure on the family.
“My son was attacked like an animal. He was not a goon; he was doing his work,” she said.
“He was a breadwinner. I am a widow and now I am helpless. I am asking the Linda Mwananchi leaders to come in and see how my son can get a vehicle.”
Dispute Over Who Should Replace Vehicle
Steven says he contacted Zuena after leaving hospital to discuss the vehicle and his financial situation.
According to him, he was initially told that the matter would be addressed and that he would receive assistance to rebuild his livelihood.
He says that when he followed up, Zuena advised him to get a lawyer so that their lawyers could engage over the matter.
Steven subsequently appealed to leaders associated with Linda Mwananchi, including Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, for assistance.
He also says he has not been paid for his driving services on August 15 and 16.
Zuena disputes that claim.
Zuena Says She Paid Medical Bills
Zuena rejects the suggestion that she is responsible for replacing the Subaru, saying she was also a victim of the violence and has already assisted Steven.
She says four people were in the vehicle and that she only learnt later that the Subaru was uninsured.
Zuena says she took responsibility for Steven’s medical treatment and ensured he received care at a private hospital.
“The most I have been able to do, I have cleared your bill. I have gotten you very good private medical care. I have ensured you have been discharged,” she said.
According to Zuena, the medical treatment cost more than Sh300,000, and she has records to support the payments. She also says she provided Steven with additional financial assistance.
However, she denies promising to purchase another vehicle for him.
“When it comes to matters of buying him a brand new car, I said no. I’m going to lawyer up because I cannot buy you a brand new car based on political violence,” she said.
Zuena also disputes Steven’s claim that she failed to pay him for his services and fuel, saying she has M-Pesa messages showing that payments were made.
She maintains that the dispute over the vehicle should be handled through lawyers representing the respective parties.
Sifuna Steps Into the Dispute
Sifuna’s intervention now appears to shift the situation after his public commitment to replace Steven’s vehicle.
His brief statement did not provide details on the type of vehicle to be provided, when it would be delivered or whether the arrangement would involve compensation to the vehicle’s owner.
It also did not address the separate dispute between Steven and Zuena over payment for driving services or the medical expenses she says she settled.
Instead, Sifuna said the Linda Mwananchi team would contact Steven after he read the account of his ordeal.
For Steven, the intervention could offer a path back to work after weeks of dealing with injuries and the loss of the vehicle he depended on for income.
Mother Appeals for Help
Steven’s mother says the family has struggled to cope since the attack because her son had been contributing to the household.
She says the priority is to restore his ability to earn a living.
“If he is being asked to be paid for the vehicle, where will we get the money?” she asked.
Sifuna’s pledge to replace the vehicle could therefore provide a possible resolution to the most immediate livelihood challenge facing Steven.
