Kisumu parliamentary aspirant killed sparking protests

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Protestors storm Kisumu Central Police Station voicing concerns on insecurity following the killing of parliamentary aspirant Shem Onyango alias Kwegah on October 29, 2012. Photo/TOM OTIENO  NATION MEDIA GROUP

By LILIAN OCHIENG’
Posted  Monday, October 29  2012 at  18:37

IN SUMMARY

• Mr Kwegah together with his wife shot in Kisumu

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Four people were killed on Monday in Kisumu following violent protests that were ignited with the killing of an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) parliamentary aspirant Shem Onyango alias Kwegah.

The three were among a group of five people who had sought refuge at a furniture shop in Kondele to escape the crossfire between rioters and the police.

According to an eye witnesses, police lobbed a teargas canister which burst into flames due to contact with a flammable substance.

Two people who survived the incident were admitted at the New Nyanza General Hospital with serious burns.

Protesters also blocked the Kisumu - Kakamega highway and destroyed properties.

A boda boda operator, Kenneth Oduor, who was ferrying a passenger that got killed early in the day said his client was shot as they approached a police station.

“He was bleeding profusely from his chest. We rushed him to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, where he died on arrival,” Mr Oduor said.

Mr Kwegah, a Kisumu Central Constituency aspirant, died from gunshot wounds he sustained after being shot by unknown assailants sparking protests.

Mr Kwegah's wife was also shot during the 10am incident but doctors at the Aga Khan Hospital Intensive Care Unit say she was out of danger.

Following the incident, protests rocked the town's Central Business District as residents led by Muhoroni MP, Ayiecho Olueny demonstrated over insecurity.

According to an eye witness, the couple were shot near Mamba Hotel as they drove towards town.

A boda boda operator said that he following Kwegah’s car closely when two assailants approached the vehicle.

Mr Kwegah was then ordered by one of the assailants to stop his car or be shot.

“Stop the car or I will shoot! Today is your day and no one will help you,” said the assailant.

It's then that the gunman approached the driver's side as Mr Kwegah opened his window to check on the disturbance.

“As he drove over a bump, the gunman shot him on the head and fired another shot on his jaw then shot Kwegah's wife on her arm, ” said the eye witness.

Meanwhile, ODM has called on the government to investigate the motive behind the murder of Mr Kwegah.

ODM Secretary General Prof Anyang' Nyong'o said the killing comes in the wake of increasing cases of insecurity in Kisumu and it's environs, a situation that has become a major concern to the residents of the Lakeside town.

"We condole with the family of the Late Mr Kwegah and pray for the quick recovery of his wife, who was injured during the shooting and rushed to Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu" said Prof Anyang' Nyong'o.

Mr Kwegah also served as ODM's Kisumu Town West sub-branch chairman.