Victims of mob justice cry for justice

Siaya

Thursday, August 10, 2023

KNA by Philip Onyango

Families of three youngsters who were recently subjected to mob justice for allegedly being behind a spate of insecurity in Kakumba village in Ugenya sub county are appealing to the government to bring to book a politician whom they accuse of handing them to their tormentors.

The families of James Ouma, Samuel Ouma and Israel Owino are pointing an accusing finger at the North Ugenya Member of the County Assembly Ben Adalla and one of his supporters, only named as Amilo of capturing the trio and handing them over to mob at the Sega boda boda Stage where they were assaulted and left for dead.

While James Ouma and his namesake Samuel Ouma were able to narrate their ordeal to the media, Israel Owino is fighting for his life at the Siaya county referral hospital where he was admitted in critical condition.

Speaking at Kakumba village, James narrated how his journey to the nearby Obwogore trading centre to look for change so that he could give Samuel his share of the day’s wage turned into a nightmare.

He said that he had gone to a funeral vigil in the village together with his namesake and left in the wee hours to have a nap before proceeding to a casual job he had secured with Samuel.

Along the way, he said, Samuel caught up with him and informed him that they could hear the sound of somebody crying that he had been assaulted. “I told him that we shall know more about the cries the following day,” he said.

In the morning, he said, he woke up and passed by Samuel’s home and together they went for the casual job that involved harvesting maize.

On completion of the task, they received their payment and since there was no lose money, they decided to go to Obwogore market to look for change.

“It is here that a lady by the name Amilo called me and asked whether I was part of a group that assaulted the MCA’s employee,” he narrated adding that he denied being part of any group or even participating in any fight.

“Soon, she made a call and within no time, the MCA turned up and we were bundled onto motorcycles and taken to Sega bodaboda stage where we were given a thorough beating,” he said adding that he got an opportunity to flee to Sega police station where he sought refuge.

This was after the mob injured him on the head, neck and used pliers to squeeze his manhood, he added.

His name sake, Samuel, who suffered broken legs and injuries on the hands and head cried for justice, saying that he could not understand why the leader had to hand them over to the mob instead of taking them to the police if he thought that they had committed a crime.

Elizabeth Adhiambo Ojwang’, whose son is fighting for his life at the Siaya county referral hospital, appealed to the government to help the young men who are aged between 18 to 20 years, get justice.

Mrs. Ojwang’ further called for help to enable his son get medication, adding that she would not be able to clear the hospital bills should his son be discharged.

Contacted for comment over the phone, North Ugenya MCA Ben Adalla denied taking part in the abduction and surrender of the suspects to the mob adding that none of his workers has reported any case of an attack.

“I heard that some body was being beaten at the Sega stage and I went there and pleaded with the mob not to take the law into their hands and urged them to instead take the suspect to the police, which I believe helped save the life,” he said.

Adalla however decried rising insecurity in North Ugenya ward, saying that the vice could be blamed on the local residents who fail to volunteer information or even record statements with the police whenever suspects are apprehended.

Courtesy ; K. N. A