It is with deep shock and grief that we receive the news of the murder of Comrade Maurice Odhiambo Majera, who until his death was the Chairperson of SDP Yala Ward Branch, in Siaya County.
Comrade Odhiambo was a dedicated Party Cadre, who quickly rose the ranks to become one of the local leaders in Siaya County, and he was also one of the best grassroots mobilisers that the Party had in that region.
According to eye witnesses, Comrade Odhiambo was brutally murdered after being attacked by a group of Panga and knife wielding men, who had the time to make sure that he was dead before leaving the scene. This is in spite of the fact that it all happened at around 7:30pm, at Mhanda Stage, a very short distance from the Nyamninia Police Post.
This is the third SDP leader in Siaya County to be killed in what has always appeared to be politically planned attacks.
In June 2013, I wrote to the Inspector General of Police, complaining about the casual way in which police in Yala have been handling cases of arson, violence and the killings of SDP members, and demanded for action to be taken. The then IG, Mr. David Kimaiyo wrote to the OCPD Siaya, (in a letter copied to me) instructing him to do thorough investigations and send a report to him. Up to date, not even a single arrest has been made.
We now demand for proper investigations that will lead to the arrest of these killers.
We also demand that the Security Chiefs in Siaya County, starting with the Siaya County Commissioner and the OCPD of Siaya, to ensure the safety of all the People living in Siaya County, or they resign and allow other serious people to take up those offices and responsibilities.
We send our deepest condolences to the Family of Comrade Maurice Odhiambo, to the Party members in Siaya County and to the people of Siaya in General.
The Struggle Continues!
Benedict WACHIRA
Secretary General
5th December 2014