A family in Rurii Ward, Ol Kalou Constituency, is seeking justice after their 45-year-old relative died from injuries sustained during violence that disrupted Thursday’s parliamentary by-election.

The incident has renewed concerns over election-related attacks that overshadowed voting in parts of the constituency.

The deceased, Zacharia Gakinya, was reportedly assaulted by a group of armed men near a polling station after returning to vote. His family says he was initially rushed to a private hospital before being referred to Nakuru for specialised treatment, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

His wife, Mary Wanjiru, recalled learning about the incident through a phone call after unsuccessfully trying to reach her husband later that afternoon.

“My husband usually votes in Huhoi-ini and I vote in Rurii. Everyone went to vote. I cast my vote and returned to work at the salon. Around 4:00 PM, I called him to check on how he was doing, but a neighbor answered and said they were at Pine Hospital,” she said.

According to Wanjiru, her husband had sustained severe injuries and was in great pain when she arrived at the hospital.

“They had beaten him all over his back, but the greatest pain was from his face up, he was very swollen. When I arrived, he was crying in severe pain, saying, ‘I don’t know these people, and I don’t know what they were questioning me about,” she added.

Residents who witnessed the aftermath of the attack claimed Gakinya was among three people targeted during the incident. While two managed to escape, they alleged he was overpowered after falling because of the backpack he was carrying.

“They were three victims. Two managed to escape, but he was thrown down because he had a backpack on his back. He was hit with the butt of a gun, which cracked his skull and caused internal bleeding,” said one resident Gitui Muchiri.

Locals said the election had proceeded peacefully for much of the day before groups of armed men travelling in expensive vehicles reportedly arrived and began assaulting people in the area.

“We had many police officers here, even the Anti-Stock Theft Unit people who deal with the wilderness. They have always dealt with cattle rustling and have never caught a single thief, but on election day, when we were at peace, we don’t know where the violence came from.People were being beaten indiscriminately. They didn’t care whether we had voted for them or not,” said Ol Kalou resident John Kariuki.

The family is now calling for a thorough investigation into the killing and wants those responsible brought to justice. Residents have also urged authorities to investigate other reported incidents of violence during the by-election, including the fatal shooting of another man in Kwa Mumbi, Kiambaga Ward.

As investigations continue, the family says they hope the truth behind Gakinya’s death will emerge and that those responsible will be held accountable.