Seven years ago, Francis Odero dropped out of school and left his family home in Budalang’i, Busia County, in search of a better life.
The Class Six pupil would later find his way to Mawanga in Nakuru County and engaged in jobs at construction sites and tilling land, among others. He later got a security job in a timber yard.
Odero neither visited his family nor called, so they never knew of his whereabouts until tragedy struck this month.
What seemed like a minor altercation to those who were around quickly escalated when a man, in a fit of rage, threatened to kill Odero. According to neighbours, Odero brushed off the threat and went back to his workplace.
Minutes later, under the cover of darkness, the night guard returned wielding a panga. He attacked Odero, killing him on the spot. He then fled into the night and remains at large.
A picture of Francis Odera who was brutally murdered by his colleague in Mawanga estate in Nakuru.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation Media Group
The news of his death on April 6 devastated his family, particularly his mother, who had held onto hope that Odero would one day return home, alive. Ms Rose Adhiambo said that she received the news through a relative after Odero’s neighbours reached out.
According to Ms Adhiambo, Odero dropped out of school due to peer pressure. Later, his friends informed the family that he had been spotted in Nakuru but their efforts to reach him were futile as he kept on changing his phone number.
“That phone call was heavy; I was told that my son was no more. I always prayed for him. I prayed that God would keep him safe. I never imagined this is how his story would end. I want justice over my son’s death,” she said
Once in Nakuru, Ms Adhiambo was taken to Nakuru City mortuary to view his body, which she said had deep cut wounds on the head and face.
Rose Odhiambo narrates how her son Francis Odera was brutally murdered by his colleague in an interview at Nakuru City Mortuary on April 28, 2025.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation Media Group
Good Samaritans housed Ms Adhiambo as they began burial arrangements. Well-wishers rallied to support the family to give Odero a befitting send-off. A fundraiser was organised to help cover expenses, including post-mortem examination, and transportation of the body to his rural home.
However, as if the tragedy of losing Odero was not enough, she faced a second heartbreak that compounded her grief and left a bitter taste in her mouth—the person who was trusted with the contributions spent the cash on personal expenses.
This delayed the burial for another week. It took the intervention of the police for the person to refund the money.
“It was like a second knife to the heart; after everything, after all the pain, someone still found a way to rob us. I thought I would finally bury my son, but we had to wait longer,” Ms Adhiambo said
A post-mortem examination conducted by government pathologist Titus Ngulungu on April 25 revealed that Odero died of a severe head injury. Dr Ngulungu stated that the injuries caused massive blood loss.
Nakuru North sub-county Directorate of Criminal Investigations officer Josephine Wambui said the matter is under investigation. She stated that a manhunt for the suspect was on, and called on the public to provide information on his whereabouts.
“They have been telling us that they are spotting him but the problem is that they are not calling us to make an arrest. His days are numbered, he should just surrender himself to any police station,” she said
