Until about a week ago, Obed Mogunda Somoni from Kisii County did not know that he would spend days in a hospital bed nursing human-inflicted injuries.
Mogunda, 31, was attacked by individuals he believes were political goons in Keumbu, Nyaribari Chache Constituency, on Sunday.
He says he was heading to Keumbu for a political function when he was waylaid by a group of goons. They mercilessly beat him before fleeing for fear of being confronted by members of the public.
Mogunda, popularly known as Brandon, hails from Bomachoge Borabu Constituency. He is a father of two and is expecting his third child with his wife. He fears for his young family and wonders how he will provide for them now that he is bedridden.
He says he was rescued by a Good Samaritan and rushed to Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital (KTRH), where he underwent an X-ray to determine the extent of his injuries.
Hospital documents in our possession indicate that he suffered a hip fracture, as well as injuries to the head, hand, chest, and stomach.
“They stepped on my stomach and chest, and I have been vomiting blood,” he said at Hema Hospital, where he is admitted.
He requested to be moved to the privately owned hospital after developing fears of further attacks at KTRH, a public facility.
Mogunda is among many youths in the country who have openly expressed their political opinions. He often moves around Kisii County dressed in colours depicting his party of choice and carrying a placard for his preferred politician from Gusii.
On Thursday, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja assured Kenyans that the increasing incidents of goonism and gun-related violence disrupting political meetings will be addressed.
During his appearance before the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Mr Kanja said the police had conducted investigations and identified the networks that finance and organise the violent groups disrupting public events.
“This thing of goonism will stop; that I can assure you,” said Mr Kanja.
The case is not isolated in Kisii; instances of political violence by organised goons have been reported in the region over the past three years.
Incidents include stone-throwing at convoys, particularly targeting opponents of certain political factions.
Leaders have condemned the use of boda boda gangs for intimidation, calling for arrests to stop the trend.
Political intolerance and violence have been reported, with some areas identified as hotspots.
Various, often contradictory, press briefings and videos show top politicians trading accusations over the violence.
The situation remains volatile, with frequent reports of hooliganism affecting local political activities.
On Tuesday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen blamed politicians, elected officials, and aspirants for the increase in political violence, revealing that some are being investigated for allegedly funding groups involved in unrest.
While addressing the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security, Mr Murkomen said investigators had uncovered instances where political figures utilised hired groups within their security teams to intimidate their opponents.
