Senator Godfrey Osotsi claims assassination attempt after Kisumu attack

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi now says he was the target of an assassination attempt after being attacked by a group of goons at a local restaurant in Kisumu on Wednesday.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Osotsi described the incident as a politically instigated attack, accusing senior security officials of orchestrating the assault that left him injured.

“I saw a group of youths, about 20 of them, entering and they did not look like they were going to harm me…because they were shouting “Senator! Senator!” Then when they moved closer, a few of them greeted me, and then all of a sudden they started hitting me,” he said.

The Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin has termed the attack on Senator Osotsi as unfortunate and primitive.

Amin, who said it is an active case, condemned the incident, telling the National Assembly Administration and Internal Security Committee on Wednesday that the Regional Police Commander in Nyanza is under instructions to arrest those who were involved in the attack and arraign them in the shortest time possible.

“It was a very unfortunate incident, and a very primitive thing to be perpetrated against a honoroubale member. We have condemned that action, and we have given specific instructions to our Regional Criminal Investigations officer in Nyanza and our Regional Police Commander to make sure that within the shortest time possible, all persons involved in the assault of the honoubale member must be identified, brought to book and be taken to court so as to account for the brutality that they meted against the Member of Parliament. We were able to visit the scene and obtain CCTV footage and the public is cooperating in terms of unmasking the identity of these assailants,” he said.

This even as opposition leaders, led by Wiper party chief Kalonzo Musyoka, fingered Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, accusing him of being behind the deployment of goons on dissenting political leaders.

He demanded that PS Omollo should resign from office, arguing that he has proven to be incompetent and legal action will be initiated if he fails to step down.

"There is no reason why those who attacked Osotsi have not been apprehended by now. If they will not have been apprehended by this time tomorrow, we will institute a private prosecution against PS Omollo. He should immediately resign," he said.

"Raymond Omollo's name is plainly placed before Kenyans. These are his own goons, and the police report to him. If he does not resign, then his boss, President Ruto, should fire him."

The DCI has since announced the arrest of three suspects linked to the assault on the Senator, saying they’re still in pursuit of others who were also involved.