The family of Enosh Otieno was excited when their son informally invited them to his graduation, scheduled for December this year.
Enosh had worked tirelessly to pay tuition fees during the four years his son, Felix Enosh, studied at Mount Kenya University.
In his heart, he believed Felix was destined to change the face of the family.
The farmer had even started saving for the big day, hoping to hire a vehicle to transport him and other family members from their home in East Gem, Homa Bay County, to Thika in Kiambu County for the graduation.
'He was our only hope': The family of slain Homa Bay farmer, Enosh Otieno, pleads for justice.
Photo credit: Pool | Nation
Sadly, he never lived long enough to see that dream come true.
Three months to the event, M Otieno was killed in circumstances that shocked his family and left his village in tension.
Instead of preparing for Felix’s graduation, the family is now making arrangements to lay Mr Otieno to rest.
According to relatives, he had left home the previous day for his usual activities. His mother, Hellen Anyango, said her son’s daily routine involved tilling his land and doing chores around his compound.
“That is what kept him going,” she said.
On the day he died, Mr Otieno was preparing to attend a funeral in a neighbouring village a few kilometres away.
Enosh Otieno, a Homa Bay County farmer, was tragically murdered just three months before he was set to attend his son's university graduation.
Photo credit: Pool | Nation
“We are not sure where he was headed when we got the information that he had died,” she said.
Family members at home were devastated when news of his death reached them. Riders who had passed along the road said they had seen his body lying face down.
Some friends and relatives noted that he occasionally drank, but never to the extent of spending the night outdoors while intoxicated.
When examined, his body bore fresh wounds. It appeared that a corrosive chemical had been poured on parts of his body.
“He was unresponsive when people tried to wake him up. It was difficult to tell if he was dead or alive,” Ms Anyango said.
Residents of Kotieno in Gem East Ward hold protest on September 15, 2025 to demand justice for the family of Enosh Otieno, who was murdered while on his way to his farm. His body was found on the roadside, partially burnt.
Photo credit: George Odiwuor | Nation
Authorities were alerted, and police officers later confirmed his death.
“He could have been murdered elsewhere before his body was dumped at the scene,” she claimed.
As police began investigations, villagers launched their own inquiries. Some children were overheard discussing the incident, and one allegedly admitted to seeing Mr Otieno being tortured at their compound for an unspecified offence.
Enraged, residents stormed the home mentioned and set houses on fire. Luckily, no one was present during the attack.
Mr Otieno’s uncle, Clement Odundo, said the family was frustrated by the slow pace of investigations.
“Police officers only came to collect the body. They have never come back. It is as if they have abandoned the case,” he said.
Mr Otieno is survived by five children. Felix, the eldest, is set to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology, while three of his siblings are still in secondary school.
“He always told me I was the one who would change the face of our family. It is sad that he died before witnessing this,” Felix said.
“My father was the one taking care of most of the family’s needs. My mother is a small-scale trader. I know she cannot fill the gap he has left,” he said.
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Photo credit: George Odiwuor | Nation
On September 15, villagers staged a protest at Omoche trading centre to push police to speed up investigations.
Rangwe Sub-County Police Commander Magdalene Chebet said the matter had been handed over to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
“I assure residents of the affected community that justice will be served,” Ms Chebet said.
