Police in Kisumu have arrested five suspects linked to the violent assault on journalist Kepher Otieno. The gang was captured during a raid along River Auji following a coordinated operation by Nyamasaria and Kasagam police units. Investigations are ongoing.
By: Ogonyo Centrine
Police in Kisumu County have arrested five suspects believed to be part of a criminal gang that recently carried out a violent attack on a local journalist. The arrests follow a police raid conducted along the banks of River Auji, near the Daraja Mbili area in Manyatta 'B' sub-location.
The brutal attack took place during the night of July 25–26, 2025, when Kepher Otieno, a Kisumu-based journalist, was assaulted at his home in the Nyamasaria area. The incident raised alarm among media practitioners and residents alike, prompting a swift and coordinated response from local law enforcement authorities.
Acting on a tip-off from a reliable source, officers from Nyamasaria Police Post and Kasagam Police Station launched an operation targeting a suspected hideout situated approximately three kilometers north of Kasagam Station. The location, which lies along the banks of River Auji, is believed to have served as a base of operations for a gang of about ten individuals allegedly planning criminal activities within Kisumu’s Central Business District, Kondele, Kachok, and surrounding areas.
During the raid, five male suspects aged between 20 and 25 were arrested. They have been identified as:
Evans Okoth Omondi, 23-year-old Luo male
Randy Paul Otieno, 21-year-old Luo male
Kere George, 20-year-old Luhya male
John Omondi, 25-year-old Luo male
Osen Otieno, 23-year-old Luo male
Police reported that the suspects were found in possession of several crude weapons believed to have been intended for use in robberies and assaults. Among the items recovered were three pangas, one knife, and a toy gun modified to resemble a real firearm. Officers also seized a Honda motorcycle, registration number KMEM 580J, reportedly abandoned by one of the gang members who escaped during the raid.
The suspects are currently being held at Kasagam Police Station as investigations continue. Authorities have confirmed that they are being processed and will be arraigned in court once the probe is complete.
Speaking about the incident, a senior police officer involved in the operation emphasized the department’s commitment to cracking down on criminal gangs operating within Kisumu East Sub-County.
“This successful swoop is part of an ongoing operation to weed out criminal elements who pose a threat to public safety and security. We want to assure residents that we will not relent until all such groups are dismantled,” the officer stated.
The attack on Mr. Otieno has sparked widespread condemnation from the public, civil society organizations, and media associations, all of whom have called for thorough investigations and swift justice. While the motive for the attack remains under investigation, sources suggest it could be linked to the journalist’s work.
Residents of Kisumu East Sub-County have applauded the police for their rapid response and are calling for sustained operations to prevent similar incidents. Many are urging the government to increase surveillance and strengthen community policing in hotspot areas such as Nyamasaria, Kondele, and Manyatta, which have seen a rise in reported criminal activity in recent months.
The case is currently being handled under police file reference number PBC, with Kasagam Police Station leading the investigation.
As police continue their manhunt for the remaining suspects, authorities are urging members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity that may help dismantle criminal networks in the region.
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