Sifuna Promises Taxi Driver New Vehicle After Homa Bay Attack

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has pledged to replace the vehicle destroyed during the violence at the Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay, offering support to taxi driver Steven Otieno.

In a statement on Saturday, 19 September, Sifuna said Otieno’s account of the incident had moved him and that uncertainty over compensation for the vehicle needed to be addressed.

“We will replace your vehicle Steven. The Linda Mwananchi team will be in touch,” Sifuna said.

Steven was hired to drive Abbie Zuena, a mobiliser associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement, during the events of 16 August. He said they encountered armed youths while trying to leave Homa Bay Town.

According to Steven, roads had been blocked with stones and the group was ordered to hand over their belongings before being attacked. He suffered deep cuts to his body and a fractured arm and later lost consciousness.

Steven was taken to hospital after seeking refuge near a church. The vehicle he had been using for taxi work, which belonged to his sister, was later set on fire. Its destruction left him without his main source of income.

He was discharged from Nightingale Hospital in Kisumu after three days but said he was still recovering from his injuries and remained unable to work normally. He has appealed to leaders associated with Linda Mwananchi, including Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, for assistance in restoring his livelihood.

A dispute has emerged over who should compensate Steven for the vehicle. Steven said he had been promised assistance, while Zuena denied committing to replace the car.

Zuena said she had paid more than KSh300,000 in medical expenses and offered further financial assistance. However, she said the issue of the vehicle should be handled through legal channels.

Sifuna’s pledge offers a direct response to the dispute. His intervention comes as political actors linked to the Homa Bay rally face scrutiny over the violence, which left several people dead and dozens injured.

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission has summoned political actors over the incident. Police have also directed a man identified as Olivetti, who has been accused of organising the unrest, to surrender to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.