Five security guards were killed in a targeted attack at a market in Kilingili, Vihiga County, with local residents alleging the violence was orchestrated to silence witnesses against a magistrate accused of involvement in a separate murder case.
The victims—Linus Anyika (68), Francis Jojo (65), John Ondachi (63), Charles Kalume (60), and Thomas Lusiolo—had collectively worked at the market for over 15 years. Lusiolo's daughter, Jane Minao, recounted how her father had warned about threats to his safety, stating, "My father worked as a security officer in Kilingili for over a decade. He was told he would receive protection, but the attack on Friday proved otherwise."
Residents criticized police for failing to respond to the 2019 attack, noting the nearest station was just 50 meters from the crime scene. Patrick Saisi, a local leader, condemned the inaction, saying, "We witnessed the massacre here, yet the police station is nearby. The local police commander must be replaced."
While the market attack remains under investigation, authorities have confirmed a separate case involving a magistrate linked to the brutal murder of a lawyer's husband. The Vihiga County Police Commander, Hassan Barua, acknowledged the ongoing inquiries but provided no further details.
