Three suspects arrested for the April 8 attack on Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi in Kisumu have been arraigned in court, as authorities link the incident to a broader wave of planned violence across Kenya.
Following the assault on Senator Godfrey Osotsi at a business centre in Kisumu's West End Mall—captured on CCTV and described as professionally executed—the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested Carlos Owiti, Eric Otieno, and Vincent Odhiambo within hours. The named suspects, previously identified by age and origin from Kisumu's Nyalenda and Manyatta slums, faced court on Friday.
This development comes two days after their arrests, amid investigations into a possible network of hired thugs. The attack followed political confrontations over Osotsi's opposition to re-electing President William Ruto.
The incident fits a pattern of escalating violence, including vandalism against leaders like Raphael Tuju and Irungu Nyakera, and church attacks in Mwiki, Kariobangi, and Othaya. The National Crime Research Centre reports 309 crime gangs nationwide, concentrated in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu, with some gaining notoriety on social media.
Experts point to youth unemployment, inequality, and corruption as drivers, urging accountability for sponsors.
