Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna/FILE Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has promised to help replace a vehicle destroyed during violence that erupted in Homa Bay as Linda Mwananchi held a rally in the county, after a report highlighted the plight of taxi driver Steven Otieno.
Sifuna responded to the report by The Standard on Saturday, saying the Linda Mwananchi team would intervene to help Otieno rebuild his livelihood.
“I have read this story in today’s Standard. We will replace your vehicle, Steven. The @LindaMwananchi_ team will be in touch,” Sifuna said.
According to the report, Otieno was injured during violence on August 16 after transporting Linda Mwananchi mobiliser Abhie Zuena, also known as Abigail Gikonyo, to activities linked to the political movement in Homa Bay.
Otieno was reportedly attacked by a group armed with machetes and rungus as he travelled out of Homa Bay after the rally.
He suffered machete wounds to his face, back, arms, hands and feet, as well as a fractured arm. The Subaru Legacy he was driving was later reportedly set ablaze.
Otieno told the publication that he remained unable to work for more than a month after the incident because of his injuries and the loss of the vehicle that provided his livelihood.
“I was promised that after being discharged from hospital, I would be assisted with some money so that I could get another vehicle and continue with my life, but up to now, nothing has happened,” he said.
The driver said the vehicle was not his property but belonged to his sister, whom he described as a young widow who had entrusted it to him to generate income and support their family.
His mother, Irene Adhiambo, appealed to Linda Mwananchi leaders to assist her son, saying he had been a breadwinner before the attack.
“My son was attacked like an animal. He was not a goon; he was doing his work,” she said, according to the report.
The case has also exposed differing accounts over responsibility for the destroyed vehicle.
Zuena said she had already taken responsibility for Otieno’s medical treatment and paid more than Sh300,000 for his care at a private hospital. She also said she provided him with financial assistance.
However, she denied promising to buy him another vehicle, saying she could not accept responsibility for replacing a vehicle destroyed during political violence.
“When it comes to matters of buying him a brand new car, I said no,” she said.
Zuena also disputed Otieno’s claim that he had not been paid for his driving services and fuel, saying she had M-Pesa records to support her account.
Sifuna’s intervention now shifts the focus from the dispute over responsibility to efforts to restore Otieno’s means of livelihood.
The senator did not specify the type or value of the vehicle to be provided, or when the replacement would be delivered.
