Man Allegedly Killed by Chief With Help From Nyumba Kumi Members in Nyamira
A family in Nyamira County is demanding justice following the death of a 39-year-old father of two who succumbed to injuries weeks after an alleged assault involving a local administrator and Nyumba Kumi members, raising fresh concerns over abuse of power and accountability at the grassroots level.
The deceased, a resident of Enchoro Village, died after sustaining serious injuries during an incident that reportedly occurred on December 11. According to the family, the man was assaulted while walking home with his wife and children when an assistant chief stopped them on suspicion of transporting illicit alcohol.
Family members say the encounter escalated rapidly into violence, leaving the victim with life-threatening injuries from which he never fully recovered. He later died while undergoing treatment, plunging his family into grief and sparking public outrage within the community.
In an emotional account, the widow recounted the events of that evening, describing what she termed as an unprovoked and brutal attack.
“They hit my husband’s leg and he fell down. The Nyumba Kumi youths jumped on him and started beating him,” she told journalists, fighting back tears.
She further alleged that the violence extended beyond her husband, claiming she too was assaulted during the confrontation. According to her statement, the assistant chief allegedly forcefully removed her clothes in full view of her children, an incident she described as humiliating and traumatising.
“I was not spared. He removed my clothes as people watched,” she said.
The widow also alleged that her son, who attempted to intervene, was violently attacked.
“The child ran to ask him, ‘What are you doing to my mother?’ He hit the child’s head against a tree,” she added.
The family maintains that the assault left the deceased with severe injuries, including head trauma, which worsened over time. An autopsy later conducted revealed that the man died from a skull fracture consistent with blunt force trauma to the head.
However, the assistant chief at the centre of the allegations has denied responsibility for the man’s death, disputing key elements of the family’s account. Speaking to the media, the administrator claimed the deceased fled the scene and may have sustained injuries elsewhere.
“When I seized the alcohol, the woman tried to pull me a bit, but she removed her clothes, so I let her go. The man had already run away,” the assistant chief said.
Despite the denial, the widow insists she formally reported the incident at Kiambere Police Station, where she was issued with an Occurrence Book (OB) number. She further alleged that this was not the first time her family had experienced harassment from the same administrator.
Human rights activists in Nyamira have since called for an independent investigation into the incident, arguing that the involvement of state-linked local security structures such as Nyumba Kumi raises serious concerns about unchecked authority and extrajudicial punishment.
Residents of Enchoro Village have also expressed fear and anger, with some accusing local leaders of using security initiatives to intimidate civilians rather than protect them. Community elders have urged authorities to ensure transparency and protect witnesses from possible intimidation as investigations continue.
The body of the deceased remains at Nyamira County Referral Hospital mortuary as the family struggles to raise funds for burial, even as they push for accountability.
Police have not yet issued an official statement on the progress of investigations, but pressure continues to mount for swift action, with the case now drawing attention beyond the county.
For the widow and her children, justice remains elusive. “All we want is the truth and justice for my husband,” she said quietly.
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Man Allegedly Killed by Chief With Help From Nyumba Kumi Members in Nyamira
