Police in Bungoma town are investigating an incident where unknown people petrol bombed a journalist house at Uwanja Ndege estate.
A Weekly Citizen journalist Francis Kasaya (35) survived death by a whisker after unknown assailants attacked his house and hurled a petrol bomb inside.
The bomb destroyed household items in his sitting room including sofa sets, fridge, TV screen, a woofer among others all valued at around Sh350,000.
Before the incident last Friday, the veteran scribe had an altercation online with a flamboyant MCA over unknown issue.
The MCA had allegedly warned the scribe of dire consequences should he carry on with his blackmail on social media forums.
“Wewe endelea kunitusi, utasikilia Kwa mwili” a bitter MCA had warned the scribe. Which loosely translates ‘continue with your insults, you will feel the pinch’.
On the fateful day, the journalist had retired to his house early enough and was only awaken with the loud bang with fire having engulfed his entire sitting room while he was asleep alone in his bed room.
It took the entire efforts of his neighbours to put off the fire using water and other available materials.
Police officers drawn from the Criminal Investigation Department arrived the following morning and took photos and other evidence to help them in their investigations.
Speaking to this blog, Bungoma police station OCS David Odongo confirmed receiving the information and added that his officers are investigating the issue.
“My officers are on the top of the matter, they are investigating two incidences to unravel the puzzle behind the failed murder incident, we will soon nab the culprits behind the Criminal act,” said Odongo.
In the first incident Odongo states that Kasaya reported and even wrote a statement of a ward leader roughing him up and they have invited the MCA to shed more light on what he understands about the reported incident.
“However on the second incident, CID officers are investigating the incident where unknown people broke his window panes and dropped something into his house which burnt household items while he was a sleep,” he told this reporter.
Kasaya reported the incident at Bungoma police station vide OB NO 55/29/10/2023 at 1240HRS.
However, Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka has called on the security agencies in the county to speed up their investigations.
“We want the culprits behind the heinous act be apprehended, we can’t afford criminals to roam freely in our midst, what about if they completed their mission, what would we be speaking?,” he asked.
On the other hand, Bungoma County police commandant, Francis Kooli assured the victim they are working with CIDs to unravel the puzzle to have the culprits brought to book.
“Nothing will be left unearth, be rest assured that my officers are on top of things and soon all the culprits will be arrested,” he said.
This comes at the back drop of reports where majority journalists have been murdered, others maimed and a majority threatened by unknown people in line of duty.
