Five elderly watchmen were fatally attacked in Kilingili, a border town between Kakamega and Vihiga counties, with family accounts suggesting targeted violence against senior workers. The victims, all aged 60 or older, included Linus Anyika (68), Francis Jojo Osayo (65), John Ondachi (63), Thomas Minao (70), and Charles Kalume (60).
Interviews with survivors revealed longstanding friction between older and younger guards at the local market. Thomas Minao's son, Stephen, alleged a younger watchman had issued death threats against his father, citing repeated warnings and a failed police appeal for protection. "The suspect followed our father, threatening to kill him. When he sought help at Kilingili Police Station, officers refused, claiming jurisdiction lay in Vihiga," Stephen said.
John Ondachi's brother, Alex Makanga, criticized the nearby police station, which he helped fund during his 1984-1988 tenure as ward representative. "The station has declined to help, despite being the closest. My brother retired in 2007 and took a market guard job to support his family," he stated. Vihiga County Police Commander Hassan Barua acknowledged the incident and pledged reforms amid accusations of "sleeping on the job."
Two surviving victims, John Shiroha and Boaz Oleta, both 65, described a gang attack by members of the outlawed 42 Brothers group. Hospital officials confirmed three head-injury cases, with one fatality and two in critical condition. Kakamega County Commissioner Abdinuzak Jaldesa ordered investigations into all market guards, while Vihiga's Susan Waweru pledged enhanced security measures.
The families of the deceased have requested assistance for funeral arrangements, as tensions between age groups and law enforcement remain unresolved.
