A Kisumu resident, identified as Steve Odiaga, has taken to social media claiming that one of the suspects arrested over the assault on Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi was previously involved in a separate violent robbery incident in the city, raising fresh questions about alleged repeat offending and delayed justice in the region.
Odiaga, in a detailed post, alleged that the suspect led an earlier attack against him and several others during an event in Kisumu last December, where he says victims were robbed but no arrests were ever made despite reporting the matter to police.
According to Odiaga, the incident occurred on 6 December during the Public Service Reflection Dinner held in the Tom Mboya area, where he claims he and six other attendees were assaulted and robbed by a group of young men.
He further alleges that the matter was reported at Nyalenda Police Post but has remained unresolved for months, claiming that influential connections protected those involved from prosecution.
“We reported the incident at Nyalenda Police Post, but because of their power and connections, the cases have remained uninvestigated, and no arrests have been made,” he stated in his post.
Odiaga went on to express frustration over what he termed as delayed justice, saying he had initially remained silent while trusting that authorities would act.
However, he now says he has decided to speak out following the arrest of suspects linked to the assault on Senator Osotsi.
“Waited. I trusted the system that one day... I stayed silent with bitterness. Now I can speak. His robbery with violence case against us, reported in Nyalenda Police Post, must be reopened,” he wrote.
He also claimed that one of the suspects involved in the senator’s assault was the same individual who allegedly led the December robbery attack against his group.
“That night of 6th December, he led the attack against us, without mercy,” Odiaga alleged.
In his post, Odiaga referenced Kisumu’s past history of feared criminal figures, suggesting that communities have long struggled with individuals believed to operate with impunity before eventually being brought down.
The claims come as police continue investigations into the violent assault on Senator Osotsi, where three suspects have already been arrested and are in custody pending arraignment.
Security agencies have previously stated that they are pursuing additional leads in the Osotsi attack case, with the possibility of more arrests as investigations progress.
The incident involving Senator Osotsi has drawn national attention, with leaders condemning political violence and calling for swift prosecution of those responsible.
Meanwhile, Odiaga’s allegations add a new layer to the unfolding case, potentially widening the scope of investigations if formally reported and verified by law enforcement agencies.