The son of former Chesikaki councillor Nathan Masai Wasama has been attacked by armed men in Cheptais, Bungoma County, weeks after his father was shot dead in the same area.
Anthony Wasama was attacked at around 5:50am on Monday at Kapcheshari Junction in Toroso while travelling to work on a motorcycle driven by his brother.
According to information from the family, the two brothers were heading towards Cheptais town when they reached the junction and encountered a group of four men.
Anthony's brother told the family that three of the attackers were armed with guns, while the fourth was carrying a panga.
The attackers emerged from the roadside and stopped the motorcycle. One of the men then approached Anthony and struck him on the head with the panga.
According to the account given to the family, the attacker uttered the words “Mee ra arap Wasama kuruup babanyii,” which was interpreted as meaning, “Arap Wasama will die today to follow his father.”
Anthony sustained a serious cut to the head and was rushed to Cheptais Government Hospital, where he is receiving treatment. His condition was described by the family as critical.
Anthony works for the Bungoma County Government as an enforcement officer and is stationed in Cheptais town.
The latest attack comes after the killing of his father, Nathan Masai Wasama, a former councillor and businessman who was also seeking the Mt Elgon parliamentary seat.
Wasama was shot dead at his business premises at Tuikut Trading Centre in Sasur Location, Cheptais Sub County, in August. According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, four men arrived at the trading centre on two motorcycles before one of the pillion passengers entered Wasama's shop and shot him. A woman was also shot and injured during the incident.
The murder triggered a major investigation, with detectives arresting suspects believed to be connected to the killing. The DCI later said five suspects had been taken into custody as investigations continued. Several items, including pangas, axes, knives, arrows, three motorcycles and a stun grenade, were recovered during one of the police operations in Cheptais.
The circumstances surrounding Monday morning's attack on Anthony, including the identity and motive of the attackers, had not been independently established at the time of writing.
The reported reference to Nathan Wasama during the attack is likely to raise further concern among residents and the Wasama family, particularly given the ongoing investigation into the former councillor's killing.
Authorities are expected to investigate whether the attack on Anthony is connected to his father's murder or whether it was an unrelated incident.
The latest incident has also renewed concerns over security in the Mt Elgon and Cheptais area, where the killing of Wasama had already heightened fears over armed violence. The DCI has previously said investigations into Wasama's murder were focused on identifying all those involved and establishing the motive.
Anthony remains in hospital as his family awaits answers over why he was targeted and whether the same people behind his father's killing could be involved