NAIROBI, Kenya — A family in Ol Kalou Constituency is demanding justice after their relative died following an attack during Thursday’s parliamentary by-election, as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) launched investigations into violence that marred the mini-poll.
The family of 45-year-old Zacharia Gakinya, a truck driver and father of three from Rurii Ward, says he was attacked by armed men near Huho-ini Polling Station shortly after returning home to cast his vote.
His death is one of at least two fatalities reported during the by-election, which has triggered widespread condemnation from political leaders, civil society organisations and human rights groups.
Speaking to reporters, Gakinya’s widow, Mary Wanjiru, recalled receiving the devastating news while at work.
“My husband usually votes in Huhoi-ini and I vote in Rurii. Everyone went to vote. I cast my vote and returned to work at the salon. Around 4:00 PM, I called him to check on how he was doing, but a neighbour answered and said they were at Pine Hospital,” she said.
According to the family, Gakinya sustained severe injuries after being assaulted by armed men before he was transferred to a hospital in Nakuru, where he later succumbed.
“They had beaten him all over his back, but the greatest pain was from his face up; he was very swollen. When I arrived, he was crying in severe pain, saying, ‘I don’t know these people, and I don’t know what they were questioning me about,'” Wanjiru added.
A resident, Gitui Muchiri, claimed Gakinya was attacked alongside two other people.
“They were three victims. Two managed to escape, but he was thrown down because he had a backpack on his back. He was hit with the butt of a gun, which cracked his skull and caused internal bleeding,” Muchiri alleged.
Residents said the voting exercise had remained peaceful for most of the day before armed men travelling in high-end vehicles allegedly descended on the area and began attacking members of the public.
“We had many police officers here, even the Anti-Stock Theft Unit. On election day, when we were at peace, we don’t know where the violence came from. People were being beaten indiscriminately. They didn’t care whether we had voted for them or not,” said resident John Kariuki.
The family is now calling for a thorough investigation into the killing and prosecution of those responsible.
The incident comes as Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed that the DCI had opened an investigation into reports of violence and the presence of armed individuals during the by-election.
Speaking in Trans Nzoia County on Sunday, Murkomen said investigators would identify those captured during the incidents and establish whether criminal offences were committed.
“The DCI has opened an investigation file to establish who these individuals are, the crimes they committed, who they harmed, and why they were there, so that appropriate legal action can be taken,” he said.
Murkomen urged victims and witnesses to record formal statements with investigators, saying the evidence would be critical in ensuring justice.
“All Kenyans who have complaints or have witnessed any of those acts, beyond just seeing them on camera, it is important to record a statement with the DCI so that proper action can be taken to ensure this nation is safe,” he said.
He also dismissed allegations made by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that women were sexually abused during the by-election, saying anyone with credible evidence should present it to investigators.
The violence has attracted condemnation from Amnesty International Kenya, which accused authorities of failing to protect voters and journalists during the exercise.
In a statement, the rights organisation described the incidents as a serious violation of constitutional rights and called for investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the DCI.
Amnesty also demanded accountability for those behind what it termed voter intimidation, attacks on journalists and election-related violence.
Political leaders across the divide have also weighed in.
The newly elected Ol Kalou MP Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru (Kamau Ngotho) condemned the killings, describing them as unacceptable and demanding justice for both Gakinya and James Muigai Mwathi, another man reported killed during the by-election.
Meanwhile, Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi called for the resignation of Interior CS Murkomen and Principal Secretary for Internal Security Raymond Omollo, accusing the country’s security leadership of failing to prevent the violence.
Despite the unrest, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declared Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) the winner of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election after defeating UDA candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah.
Investigations into the violence are ongoing.