A family from Kimilili Constituency in Bungoma County is demanding justice before their kin who died under unclear circumstances is buried.
The deceased, Ernest Wafula, who worked for Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka as a strategist communication ‘blogger’ died under unclear circumstances on Sunday morning.
This is after spending time with his fiancée in the neighboring Kitale town in Trans- Nzoia County.
It’s alleged that the deceased jumped off from the top of a storey building in Kitale town after battling depression for a long time.
Speaking to the press on Wednesday at their home, Hudson Wafula, father, said that the death of Ernest did not result from jumping off the building saying that the family will not bury their son until justice is served.
They are also demanding the arrest of the lady who spent time with their son on the day he met his untimely death.
“My son left home when he was alive and healthy. I don't know what happened to him while in Kitale. Let them tell us the truth of the matter. My son cannot take away his own life,” he said.
In addition, Hudson also accused the police of setting free the suspect for their son’s death.
“I don’t know how the police are working because they didn’t detain the suspect once she appeared at the station to report that the one he was with succumbed under unclear circumstances.
“The police have left the suspect walking freely in Kitale streets as the family mourns their keen,” he added.
However, speaking to the Star on phone, Trans- Nzoia subcounty police commander Patrick Kaitiriria dismissed allegations that the police are reluctant to investigate the matter adding that the DCI has taken up the matter.
"People should stop fueling propaganda over that issue that happened. Every case has the procedure to handle it," the police boss said.
He added, "I was with the relatives of the accused and we agreed that they follow the right channel to report the case and it will be investigated according."
Ernest's father noted that the death of his son is a big blow to the family, the community, and the county at large as he was the breadwinner and he has left behind a young family that needs to be taken care of.
Elizabeth Naswa, the mother, alleges that the suspect in her son’s untimely death has been accusing her since the day the deceased died.
To address this, Naswa is calling for the Interior CS Kinture Kindiki to intervene and ensure that justice is served.
Christine Olando, the deceased’s wife condemned the incident calling on the investigating agencies to swing into action and arrest her husband’s killers.
Olando narrated that the week the husband died he spent the whole week in the house but on Saturday he left as usual for work at Bungoma County government.
“My husband left the home on Saturday as usual, little did I know that it was the last time to see him alive,” she said.
She, however, said that while in Kitale, the deceased was very active online and had conversations late hours.
He kept on telling me online ‘Be calm I’m coming home.’
“While on our conversation online, he promised me that he could call me at around 10 pm, I waited but he did not call as agreed,” she said.
Olando noted that on Sunday morning she received shocking information that her husband was no more.
“My husband’s death has shocked me. We have accepted that it has happened but we need justice served then we bury our kin peacefully,” she noted.
Area leaders led by Bungoma Governor Lusaka have mourned the deceased as a hardworking, dedicated, and vibrant youth whose input will be dearly missed.
Speaking to the press in Bungoma, Trade and Industrialization Chief Officer Denson Barasa called on the public to remain calm as the police launch a probe into the matter.
“We know Ernest’s death has dealt a big blow to many of his friends in the entire county but let us not use social media to relay information that will create unnecessary tension,” Barasa said.
Tongaren MP Murumba Chikati, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa and Bungoma Woman MP Catherine Wambilianga have also mourned the late Wafula.