Kenyans are in shock after the killing of a 26-year-old pregnant university student who was abducted on Monday together with a journalist after they tried exposing her alleged love affair with a top politician.
The body of the Rongo University student, Sharon Otieno, was found in a forest in Homa Bay on Wednesday morning, a day after the Nation Newspaper journalist Barack Oduor had reported their abduction to the police after his escape.
Oduor, who had bruises on his knees and hands told journalists at the Kisumu Central Police Station that the second year student had alleged that she had been impregnated by the governor of the Migori County, Okoth Obado.
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The journalist and the student had arranged a meeting with the aide of the governor, identified as Michael Oyamo, and the venue was changed twice.
“When we got out of the hotel, he told us to board his vehicle so we could move to a different hotel within Rongo town. He was with the driver and a co-driver,” Oduor was quoted by The Standard.
He said the car drove to a different town and made a stop to pick two other men. “We sat in the middle. One man was in the far left and the other far right seat. They ordered us to surrender our phones and all property we had. That is when I knew we had been abducted,” he added.
Oduor explained that while the car was speeding, the abductors strangled him and he successfully opened the door and jumped after struggling with them. With his injuries, he sought help from a nearby house and he was taken to the Kadel Police Post Monday night and then to a hospital.
“I suspect I was kidnapped to prevent publication of the story,” Oduor added while at the police station where other journalists had camped in solidarity and for justice to be served.
The Kenyan government stated on Wednesday morning after the student’s body was found that the circumstances “distinctly point to murder” and attempted murder of the journalist.
Government statement to the reported death of Sharon Otieno. pic.twitter.com/aovJxTeCYM
— Spokesperson GoK (@SpokespersonGoK) September 5, 2018
“…this matter will be expeditiously investigated and the perpetrators of this heinous crime will be made to face the full force of the law,” they assured the public and journalists whose network has described the incident as an attack on press freedom.
The police announced the arrest of the aide of the Migori governor and promised to conduct rigorous investigation.
Meanwhile, the public is calling for the protection of the arrested suspects from committing suicide while in custody, a regular occurrence in high-level criminal cases.
Please ensure that this PA to @GovOkothObado,Michael Oyamo is protected & secured.He is the link to the real motive and the killers. If not, he will kill himself in police custody. @FredMatiangi @NPSOfficial_KE @JBoinnet @Nyakwaradede1
— Jakanyawino (@Jakanyawino) September 5, 2018
What happened to Mwai’s Death at Parklands Police station. Why would it take Police this long to get to the bottom of the matter. Be4 he died he had cooperated with the investigations officer giving out crucial leads, Identity of his master. Why was Korane arrested then released
— Peter Maina (@PeteroMaina) September 5, 2018
The public is demanding justice and expressed their views on social media.
If it’s a case of love triangle, u got leads to evidence
Carry out DNA tests, if only u mean business otherwise..— ThisIsJay (@MuthubiJames) September 5, 2018
We need action this very sad
— turuthi (@turuthi) September 5, 2018
This time try to take action not just mere words @PoliceKE @DCI_Kenya
— Jack Were W? (@jackwereW) September 5, 2018
Nonsense ,you took a statement from the killer but didn’t bother to save the lady
— Isaack myaudi (@thrjew) September 5, 2018
Bure kabisa.Have you ever resolved past murders?No!Resolving Kenyan murders is like investigating NYS https://t.co/JWFxUVvVI7 one will ever be prosecuted!Take this to Harambee House.
— Stiv Kopana (@KopanastivStiv) September 5, 2018
You need to keep your word, and channel the right resources to the investigation without sparing anyone otherwise quick PRs will not help
— kamiri moses (@kamirimoses) September 5, 2018
Take the response correctly this time round all the ill motive politician who are taking their powers to be the shield of crime actions should be brought to book. They cruelty use it to take peoples live. They should be killed also as a deterrence to other law breakers.
— Skye Cherry (@SkyeCherry6) September 5, 2018
