Insecurity sweeps Western region as gangs strike

Fear is spreading across parts of Western Kenya as a succession of killings, armed robberies and brutal assaults turns once-quiet neighbourhoods into danger zones.

From Bungoma to Kakamega and Busia, the attacks have claimed lives, left victims nursing serious injuries and forced families, traders and boda boda operators to rethink their daily routines. Residents say the criminals are becoming bolder, striking and targeting people on their way home from work, school or businesses.

The latest incident was the cold-blooded murder of former Cheptais councillor Nathan Wasama Masai, who was shot dead by a boda boda rider at Tuikut shopping centre in Cheptais in Bungoma County.

Police have arrested five suspects in connection with the killing of the 62-year-old politician and businessman as detectives widen investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death and the possible motive.

Bungoma County Police Commander Anderson Njangi said the five suspects are in custody and assisting detectives with investigations.

Tied up

Wasama’s killing came against the backdrop of heightened violent attacks in Kakamega and Busia counties, where victims have either lost their lives, property or suffered serious injuries, leaving police under growing pressure to contain the insecurity.

Even before the dust had settled over Wasama’s murder, the brutal killing of Laura Flora, a Form Three student at Vokoli Girls High School, sent shock waves across Kakamega town and its environs.

Her death is among a growing list of killings, robberies and violent attacks that have heightened concerns about insecurity in Bungoma, Kakamega and Busia counties.

Laura died after she was attacked by armed robbers who raided her family home in Kefinco Estate on the outskirts of Kakamega town.

According to her father James Owich, the student was asleep in her bedroom when a gang of unknown assailants invaded their compound in the middle of the night.

The attackers allegedly jumped over the perimeter fence before gaining entry into the house through Laura’s bedroom window. They reportedly tied her up and assaulted her with a blunt object.

“Thieves broke into my home via the perimeter wall and entered the kids’ room. They got my daughter, who was a Form Three student. They beat her, but I don’t know what object they used to beat her with,” Owich said.

The assailants later moved to Owich’s bedroom, where they demanded mobile phones and money while threatening to harm members of the family.

“The intruders demanded my phone and money while threatening to kill my daughter if I did not hand them the money. I gave them my phone and that of my wife,” he said.

Laura’s death has left residents of Kefinco deeply shaken, with calls mounting for security agencies to conduct thorough investigations, arrest the suspects and bring them to justice.

Residents say they are increasingly living in fear as criminal attacks continue to be reported in different parts of Kakamega town, particularly at night.

“We want those behind these heinous acts arrested. Security patrols should also be intensified because residents are living in fear. That child was innocent and had plans of resuming school next week,” a resident said.

In Joyland, residents have raised concern over a surge in violent night robberies and muggings, saying the attacks have altered their normal way of life. Many now avoid certain roads and public spaces after sunset.

Armed gangs have reportedly been targeting boda boda operators, shoppers, traders and other residents returning home from work, triggering a public outcry over what residents describe as worsening insecurity.

Among those caught up in the violence is Luhya TV journalist Olungo Ndubi, who was assaulted and left seriously injured by suspected robbers while heading home from work on August 4, 2026.

Ndubi was accosted at about 8.20 pm after being dropped at the Quickmart area by a guest who had appeared on his show at the station. He walked into the supermarket to do some shopping before starting his journey home.

However, while walking towards his home in Joyland, Ndubi was suddenly attacked from behind by unknown assailants, just a few metres from his house.

“It was like a dream to me, and up to date it still is a dream because I did not know what was happening. I recall a heavy strike on the head before losing consciousness. I then regained consciousness after a few minutes, but the thugs had not gone. As I tried to get back on my feet, they beat me again. It was like hell,” he recounted.

Since he was not far from his residence, Ndubi crawled to the house. “I do not know how I managed, though. Afterwards, I found myself at Kakamega General Hospital where a computed tomography scan was done,” he said.

The journalist lost his three mobile phones, a power bank, and a wallet containing his national identity card, press card and money to the four-member gang that waylaid him along his routine route.

The attack left him facing a huge medical bill. He said he spent about Sh96,000 seeking treatment and recovering from the injuries.

“Imagine a journalist like me has been attacked. What about the common mama mboga who cannot afford to pay such bills? Can they afford medication? he posed.

Frequent attacks have transformed what was once regarded as a relatively quiet neighbourhood into an insecure place where residents increasingly live in fear, particularly after dusk.

Traders, boda boda riders and workers returning home walk while looking over their shoulders, uncertain whether they will reach their homes safely.

The sudden wave of crime is being linked to gangs of young men targeting unsuspecting victims for their valuables.

Some residents are avoiding certain routes altogether after sunset, while others say they are being forced to spend extra money on transport to avoid walking through areas they consider dangerous.

“When they attack, they do not just steal from you. They beat you mercilessly. People are living in fear because no one knows who will be attacked next,” said Brigton Museve, a resident of Emusonga.

Hardest hit by the soaring insecurity are boda riders and small-scale traders whose businesses thrive under a safe environment.

Rigan Museve, a smokie seller and one of the victims, recalled a frightening encounter with suspected gang members while he was heading home.

The man was ambushed and assaulted by several young men who left him nursing injuries that kept him away from work for several days.

“I never imagined I would be attacked while simply walking home. The injuries affected my ability to earn a living and support my family. I never saw their faces; they had a motorbike. Right now, even 7pm is becoming risky for us,” he said.

For Joseph Juma, a resident in Joyland, the growing insecurity had changed the way people conduct their daily lives.

“People are afraid of moving around at night. Businesses are also affected because customers rush home early for fear of being attacked,” he said.

James Akutsa, another resident, described the attacks as a serious threat to the well-being of the community.

“We no longer feel safe, even in our homes. Gangs are breaking into houses, robbing people and attacking anyone they encounter. We need urgent intervention,” he said.

Akutsa urged security agencies to intensify patrols and ensure those behind the attacks are arrested and prosecuted. “The criminals seem to know when people are returning from work. They target them and disappear before help can arrive,” he said.

Residents say the attacks have continued despite repeated complaints to authorities, with many now demanding visible security measures, including increased night patrols and improved street lighting.

The insecurity in Kakamega has also been reported in Busia County, where a 31-year-old businessman, Benard Otieno, was stabbed to death by unknown assailants at his rented house in Aget village.

According to his wife Linet Akinyi, the attackers broke into a neighbouring house at about 2 am before later forcing their way into their house.

Akinyi said the assailants were armed with a knife and stabbed her husband six times.

“It was midnight. They broke into my neighbour’s house and later came to ours. We had locked our door, but I do not know how they managed to enter. They were armed with a knife; they stabbed him six times,” she said.

Betty Achieng, Akinyi’s sister, said she received a distress call from her sister and rushed to the scene before taking her injured brother-in-law to Busia County Referral Hospital on a motorcycle.

However, she said doctors informed them that Otieno had already died by the time he arrived at the facility.

“Otieno has never had issues with anyone. He is very polite, and I want to call on police to speed up investigations and arrest the culprits. It is not right. No one has the right to kill anyone,” Achieng said.

Police recently conducted a crackdown in the area and arrested more than five youths suspected to be linked to the attacks.

Western Regional Commissioner Allan Macharia acknowledged that insecurity had been high in the recent past but assured residents that officers were working around the clock to restore law and order.

“It is true there has been insecurity across the county and other counties. But what I want to assure the people of Western is that our officers are alert to ensure such incidents do not occur again,” Macharia said.

He urged residents to work closely with security agencies and provide information that could assist investigators in identifying and arresting suspects.

Safe again

Macharia also warned politicians against using civilians as their security detail, urging them to seek protection from police officers whenever necessary.

Amid the deteriorating security, Western Regional Police Commander George Seda has vowed to crack down on criminal gangs and restore order across the region.

“We are going to crack down on all criminal gangs in this region because we want a peaceful area where our people are safe,” Seda said.

The regional police boss said investigations into several cases of criminal activity were at an advanced stage and that police were pursuing suspects believed to be behind the attacks.

He cited the success of security agencies in curbing criminal groups such as the Jobless Group in Busia County as an indication that concerted efforts between the police and communities could help dismantle organised gangs.

But for residents still recovering from deaths, injuries, trauma and financial losses, the demand is immediate: they want security agencies to move beyond assurances and make their neighbourhoods safe again.