Double tragedy for a family as son is crashed to death while auctioneers attach its cattle

Siaya, 

Friday, December 29, 2023 

KNA By Philip Onyango 

A family in Ugenya suffered a double tragedy when a police Land Cruiser crashed their son to death as auctioneers attached its three in-calf cows.

Austin Odhiambo, 36 years died as he was pleading for the release on his mobile phone that had been confiscated by a police officer who accused him of taking photos as the auctioneers were doing their work. 

The incident, which occurred at Uhumwa village in West Ugenya location, Siaya county, left the family of Boniface Opondo in mourning as it appealed for government intervention to bring to book the policemen whom they blamed for the death.

According to the deceased’s father, Boniface Opondo, Bungoma based Rhemat Auctioneers’ agents raided his home while in company of policemen from Ukwala police station and tens of hired goons carrying clubs and all sorts of crude weapons and proceeded to his kraal where, without a word, they started loading cows into the canter. 

As he protested the move, the auctioneers flashed out an alleged order allowing them to attach the cattle over a debt that was acquired by his estranged daughter in law whom she says left the home over three years ago. 

Opondo said that the order that did not indicate the case number nor the court where it emanated from, alleged that one Lucy Akinyi Owino owed First Community savings and credit cooperative society limited sh. 13,800 while auctioneers fee was sh. 81,300/=. 

He said Akinyi was once married to his son, the late Austin and it took everybody by surprise that she had taken a loan while using her father in law’s cattle as security.

“While they were loading the cattle, my son Austin took his cellphone and was recording the event to enable us have evidence when a policeman slapped him hard and confiscated his phone,” said Opondo.

He said that when Opondo insisted that the policeman returns his phone, the officer cocked his gun and threatened to shoot him.

As the policemen and the auctioneers left, Austin pursued the vehicle while pleading for the release of his phone but the officer, who was sitting in the driver’s cabin, instead grabbed his hand while the vehicle was in motion, in the process dragging him, he said.

“It is the screams from the people who had come to witness the event that made the policeman to release his hand and as he fell down, he was run over by the Land Cruiser,” said Opondo.

He said that even after doing this, the policemen did not stop but sped off and left the family to look for means of ensuring that their member is rushed to hospital, said a distraught father.

The dejected parent said that they took Austin to Ukwala sub county hospital where he was pronounced dead and his body moved to the hospital’s mortuary.

Opondo accused the Ukwala police for indifference, adding that instead of coming to the aid of the family and owning up that their officers were on the wrong, they were hell bent on covering up the matter.

Siaya County Police Commander Mr. Cleti Kimaiyo confirmed the incident, saying that there were conflicting reports on exactly what led to the death.

“According to the report from Ukwala police station, the deceased attempted to jump into the vehicle and missed grip and fell on the ground,” said Kimaiyo adding that he has ordered the County Criminal Investigations officer to take over the matter from Ukwala and establish the truth.

He assured the family that no one will be spared in the investigations and if the policemen will be found culpable, necessary action will be taken. 

Courtesy; KNA