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2017 KENYA ELECTIONS

It’s painful, but I forgive those who killed my brother in poll aftermath

Though grief-stricken, Ouma, a devoted Christian was willing to share the last memories with his brother with Capital FM News/COSMUS MWONGELA

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 7 – A few minutes after Raila Odinga, Kenya’s Opposition chief left the City Mortuary, Willis Ouma isolated himself from the rest of the mourners.

He held his chin, facing down while shaking his head.

He was visibly saddened by the loss of his elder brother killed in Kariobangi in ‘unclear circumstances,’ but all he knows is that he was among supporters of Odinga caught up in the melee after his visit in the area turned chaotic.

Odinga had visited families of his supporters who were killed in Ruaraka on November 19.

On Thursday, the mood at the morgue was gloomy as each family of the 12 departed souls lifted their caskets ahead of trips to their respective homes where they will be buried.

Though grief-stricken, Ouma, a devoted Christian was willing to share the last memories with his brother with Capital FM News.

“He had a huge cut in his head, such that if you fold your hand, it can easily fit it…” were his first words.

He added, “My brother was cruelly killed.”

Though he was not present during the fateful day, Ouma says his brother, according to information he gathered from those who were with him, “was accosted by a group of youths, who after attacking him, they dropped him from the top of a flyover along Outer ring road.”

His brother, 40, was a widower, with two children.

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“He was the father and mother of his two children…their mother died a while ago,” he said.

As his brother is buried in Siaya County, Ouma will be resuming his roles as a provider; despite his meagre income as a painter.

And though he is hurt, to the culprits, he says: “I have forgiven you. I leave this to God. He shall give our family justice.”

Four other bodies, two in Chiromo and others in Kenyatta National Hospital were released for burial.

Among those was of seven-year-old boy Geoffrey Mutinda, who was shot dead while playing in the balcony of their Kariobangi home.

“We want justice,” was the appeal of all the families represented at the City Mortuary.

According to Odinga, more than 200 people have been killed since he arrived from the US, after a long week stay, on November 17.

Most of them, he says are victims of police brutality.

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But on the day of his arrival, on November 17, police in a statement said only five people were killed.

Of the five, they said three were killed by “people after they were caught stealing” but records from city morgues indicated otherwise.

While more people were killed on that day, a majority had gunshot wounds while others were hacked to death.

The US also on Wednesday urged security agencies to act with restrain while dealing with protestors, whom rights to assemble is enshrined in the constitution.

They called for, “quick and independent investigation of reports of excessive use of force by the security services, and that officials responsible for abuses be held accountable. Protesters who are exercising their constitutional rights have an obligation to do so peacefully.”

But Odinga has castigated the international community for what he termed as shocking silence over the “wanton killings.”

“We thought we had friends but we were wrong and now we know they are enemies. Up to today, not a single embassy or an ambassador has raised their voice to condemn this wanton killing of Kenyan people. No one is talking about it,” an irritated Odinga firmly said.

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