Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna/FIles

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has said Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi is “stable” but badly injured, following an attack in Kisumu, as investigators intensify efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

In a brief update after visiting the legislator at Karen Hospital, Sifuna described the situation as distressing and unacceptable.

“Just left Karen Hospital, where our brother Senator Osotsi is being taken care of. He is badly injured, but the doctors are taking good care of him. They say he is ‘stable’. I don’t know what to say in these situations, honestly. It shouldn’t come to this,” he said.

His remarks came as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed it had launched investigations into what it termed a serious assault.

In a statement, the agency condemned the incident, describing it as 'brazen and cowardly' and assured the public that detectives were pursuing leads.

“We strongly condemn the brazen and cowardly attack on Vihiga Senator Hon. Godfrey Osotsi that occurred in Kisumu,” the DCI said.

The investigative agency noted that the motive behind the attack remains unclear, but indicated that forensic analysis of CCTV footage is already underway.

“At this stage, the motive behind the attack has not been established. Our detectives are actively pursuing very crucial leads following a detailed forensic analysis of the available CCTV footage,” the statement read.

Authorities have urged restraint as the probe continues. “We urge members of the public to remain calm, refrain from speculation and allow investigations to proceed without interference,” the DCI added, while pledging to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

According to preliminary accounts, the senator had gone for a routine grooming visit before proceeding to a restaurant, where he interacted with members of the public for about 30 minutes.

It was during this time that a group of armed individuals reportedly confronted him. The attackers are said to have questioned his political stance and demanded to know why he was associated with the ‘one-term’ brigade before allegedly assaulting him.

Sources indicated that his security detail exercised restraint to avoid discharging firearms in a public setting.

Siaya Governor James Orengo also condemned the incident, linking it to a broader pattern of political violence. “This is a clearly coordinated pattern of intimidation aimed at silencing the voices of the people,” he said.

Osotsi’s office separately termed the attack “barbaric and cowardly” and called for swift action, noting that “the availability of CCTV surveillance provides a critical starting point for identifying and apprehending those responsible.”

The DCI said it will keep the public informed as the investigations progress.