Three men accused of orchestrating a violent attack on Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi have pleaded not guilty to multiple charges before a Kisumu court, as the case begins to unfold.
The suspects – Eric Otieno, Vincent Odhiambo, and Carlos Owiti – appeared before Resident Magistrate Daniel Chumba on Friday. They denied two counts, including robbery with violence and stealing, offences outlined under Kenya’s Penal Code.
According to prosecutors, the three allegedly worked alongside other accomplices who are still at large to attack the senator during an incident at a Kisumu eatery on April 8. The court heard that the assailants robbed him of valuables during the confrontation.
Defence lawyer Ken Omollo urged the court to release the accused on bail, noting that they had cooperated with investigators since their arrest.
However, the prosecution opposed the request, arguing that investigations are still ongoing, particularly efforts to track down additional suspects linked to the attack.
In his ruling, Magistrate Chumba granted each of the accused a bond of Ksh1 million. The case is scheduled for mention on May 6, 2026.
A Violent Morning in Kisumu
The charges stem from a shocking incident that occurred on the morning of April 8 at a Java House outlet located in Kisumu’s West End Mall.
Senator Osotsi was reportedly seated when a group of men stormed the premises and launched a brutal हमला, striking him with kicks and blows. The lawmaker later recounted losing consciousness during the assault, before his security team managed to evacuate him through a back exit.
Following the attack, he was airlifted to Nairobi for specialised medical care. He has since recovered and recorded a formal statement with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations at Parliament.
The Vihiga Senator has demanded for the arrest of Interior PS Raymond Omollo, accusing him of orchestrating a violent attack against him in Kisumu.
Speaking during a press briefing, Osotsi said what began as a routine visit to the lakeside city during parliamentary recess quickly turned violent.
He explained that he had been going about his normal schedule, including a visit to a barbershop and a planned meeting with a local football official, before stopping at a café.
According to the senator, a group of between 15 and 20 young men approached him while he was seated.
Initially, the interaction appeared friendly, with some of them greeting him, but the situation escalated suddenly.
“They started hitting me while questioning why I support the one-term slogan,” Osotsi said, adding that he was overwhelmed and lost consciousness during the attack.
Motive Remains Unclear
Investigators are still working to establish the motive behind the attack. Early indications point to possible political tensions, particularly within the Orange Democratic Movement, where the senator has been an outspoken figure on key issues.
At the same time, unverified claims suggesting a personal dispute have circulated, though authorities have not confirmed these reports. Senator Osotsi has dismissed such allegations, insisting they are attempts to divert attention from the real reasons behind the attack.
As the case proceeds, attention now shifts to whether investigators can apprehend the remaining suspects—and uncover what truly triggered the violent attack
