Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has told Parliament that a majority of suspects linked to the recent attack on Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi fled the country shortly after the incident.
Speaking before lawmakers, Murkomen said investigators had made initial progress after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) circulated images of the suspects, prompting some to surrender.
“DCI circulated the pictures, three of them presented themselves. The rest of them, 13 or 14, ran out of the country to the neighbouring country,” he said.
The Cabinet Secretary added that security agencies are now working collaboratively with authorities across the border to track down and apprehend the remaining suspects.
According to Murkomen, the National Police Service, under the leadership of the Inspector General, is coordinating efforts with the DCI to ensure all those involved are brought to justice.
He assured Parliament that despite the suspects’ flight, the government remains committed to pursuing them and dismantling any networks behind the attack.
“We are working with authorities in the neighbouring country, and we will arrest all of them eventually,” Murkomen stated.
On April 8, Osotsi, who was seated at a restaurant, explained that he had sent his security officer to withdraw money from a nearby location, a short distance from where he was seated, when moments later, a group of between 15 and 20 youths entered the complex.
“I was seated facing the main entrance, so I saw them coming in. They did not look hostile. They were shouting ‘Senator’. Two of them greeted me. I did not see any danger.”
“All of a sudden, they started hitting me and asking why I was supporting one term.... Before long, I was unconscious because they hit me so hard. I tried to run away, I fell, and they continued to hit me,” he added.
Osotsi said he ran through the kitchen door of the restaurant, where his security team managed to evacuate him to safety and later to hospital.
Three suspects have so far been charged in connection with the alleged assault of Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi have denied the charges and were released on a Sh1 million bond each.
The ruling was delivered by Senior Principal Magistrate Lorraine Ogombe, who allowed the accused persons to be freed on bond pending the hearing of the case.
“I am admitting the accused persons to a bond of Sh1 million plus one surety of a similar amount,” Magistrate Ogombe ruled.
The court further directed that the matter proceed to a pre-trial conference scheduled for May 6, 2026.
The three suspects were arraigned before a Kisumu court, where they faced charges linked to the alleged attack on the senator.
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges, maintaining their innocence as the prosecution laid out its case.
In earlier proceedings, the court had also dealt with an application by investigators seeking additional time to hold the suspects in custody to allow further inquiries.
The prosecution had requested up to 14 days of detention, arguing that the matter required more time to gather crucial evidence, including witness statements and other investigative leads.
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