Calls for justice have emerged following the fatal shooting of former councillor Nathan Wasama, who was reportedly attacked at his home in Cheptais, Bungoma County, before later succumbing to his injuries.
In a statement on Thursday, August 6, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa expressed sorrow over Wasama's death, describing the incident as tragic.
"It is with profound sadness that I learned of the tragic death of former Councillor Nathan Wasama, who was reportedly shot at his home in Tuikut, Cheptais, and later succumbed to his injuries," he wrote.
Barasa condemned the killing, saying no one should lose their life in such circumstances and insisting that those responsible must be identified and brought to justice through the legal process.
"I unequivocally condemn this senseless act of violence. No one should lose their life under such tragic circumstances, and those responsible must be identified and held accountable through the due process of the law," he added.
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Barasa also conveyed his condolences to Wasama's family, friends, the people of Mt Elgon, and members of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church, urging them to find strength during the difficult period.
"My deepest condolences go to his family, friends, and the people of Mt. Elgon and the SDA Church who have lost a Son and member of the community. May they find strength and comfort during this difficult time," he further said.
Barasa called on investigators to move swiftly and thoroughly to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing and ensure those responsible are brought to book.
"I call upon the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to conduct a swift, impartial, and thorough investigation to ensure justice is served," the statement concluded.
The latest attack follows an earlier attempt on Wasama's life in 2024 when gunmen reportedly ambushed him in the Kapcheshari area at around 7p.m.
The incident comes only weeks after Wasama publicly declared his intention to contest the Mt Elgon parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election.
Several bullets struck the rear section of his vehicle, but he escaped the attack without sustaining any injuries.
The killing has shocked residents of Mt Elgon and sparked renewed concern over security in the area.
Elsewhere, the High Court in Meru has convicted and sentenced Lochuku Lekepei to 10 years in prison for the manslaughter of Morris Munene Mate, an Isiolo GK Prison officer who disappeared in 2015 and whose body was never recovered.
In a statement, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the court found that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that the prison officer died as a result of an unlawful act despite the absence of his body.
The DCI said the conviction followed extensive investigations by homicide detectives, who pieced together the case using forensic findings and circumstantial evidence.
"The conviction marks the culmination of painstaking investigations by Homicide detectives, who relied on forensic and circumstantial evidence to unravel the mystery surrounding the complex case despite the absence of the victim's body and the lack of any witness who saw the deceased's body," the statement read.
The agency added that the court was satisfied the available evidence established that Mate died as a result of an unlawful act, prompting the court to replace the initial murder charge with a manslaughter conviction.
"Although the victim’s body was never found, the court was satisfied that the evidence proved beyond reasonable doubt that he died as a result of an unlawful act. As a result, the court substituted the original murder charge with a conviction for manslaughter," the statement added.
Investigations established that Morris disappeared on July 23, 2015, after travelling to Oldonyiro in Isiolo North Sub-County on a business trip.
During the investigation, detectives recovered his blood-stained clothing and a blood-stained stone at the Mlima wa Chui area.
The DCI said forensic examinations confirmed the recovered exhibits belonged to the missing prison officer and further placed the convict in communication with the victim and within the same location shortly before his disappearance.
"DNA analysis conducted confirmed that the blood and other items recovered belonged to the missing prison officer, while forensic analysis placed the convict in constant communication with the deceased and in the same geographical vicinity shortly before his disappearance," the statement explained.
In its judgment delivered on July 16, 2026, the High Court ruled that the circumstantial evidence, supported by forensic DNA analysis, conclusively linked the convict to the unlawful killing despite the fact that the victim's body had never been recovered.
The court subsequently convicted Lekepei of manslaughter under the Penal Code and imposed a 10-year custodial sentence.
