Tensions continue to simmer in Likuyani Constituency following the controversial death of three individuals Sydney Vugigi Culture, Dorcas Naliaka Wanjala, and Sarah Toshia Boaz in incidents that have raised serious questions about police conduct, public safety, and justice.
The area’s Member of Parliament, Hon. Innocent Mugabe, has formally petitioned the government for answers surrounding the tragic events, demanding transparency, accountability, and support for grieving families.
On 3rd March 2025, during a funeral in Nzoia Division, an altercation erupted between Sydney Vugigi, a grave digger, and Simon Ashibira, the area’s Community Policing Chairman.
Sydney was reportedly asked to leave the premises by Ashibira at the family’s request, after suspicions of past theft incidents.
The following day, Sydney confronted Ashibira at his home, leading to a heated exchange.
Ashibira allegedly ejected him by force, after which Sydney was later discovered unconscious three kilometers away, bleeding from a head wound.
Despite being rushed to medical facilities, Sydney succumbed to his injuries on 9th March 2025.
A postmortem confirmed head trauma caused by a blunt object as the cause of death.
Ashibira and his son, Victor Ashibira (reportedly mentally unstable), were arrested and remanded as investigations continue. The matter is pending before court.
The death sparked outrage in the community. On 10th March, nearly 100 residents stormed Ashibira’s home, allegedly intending to harm his family and set fire to his property.
Police officers from Likuyani Sub-County responded to the escalating situation, initially attempting peaceful dialogue. However, the crowd turned violent, hurling stones at the officers.
As tensions rose, officers fired blank rounds to disperse the mob but were soon overwhelmed.
Reinforcements from Moi’s Bridge Police Station assisted in evacuating Ashibira and his family.
The evacuation, however, further agitated the crowd, resulting in looting, the burning of four houses, and attacks on police vehicles.
In the chaos, police fired live rounds alongside tear gas, leading to the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Sarah Toshia Boaz and 25-year-old Dorcas Naliaka Wanjala, both unarmed civilians.
A full-scale investigation into the deaths of Dorcas and Sarah is being led by the Kakamega County Criminal Investigation Office. All firearms used by officers during the incident have been collected and sent to the DCI Forensic Laboratory for ballistic analysis. Results are pending, and officers found culpable will face charges in court.
The incident has intensified debate around the use of live ammunition during public protests.
In response, the government outlined several initiatives to curb excessive force during demonstrations, including:
Strict enforcement of use-of-force regulations under the National Police Service Act.
Continuous training in non-lethal crowd control, such as the use of rubber bullets, water cannons, and tear gas.
Enhanced oversight through the Internal Affairs Unit and independent investigations by IPOA.
Public engagement strategies to encourage peaceful protest and prevent violent confrontations.
Command structures have also been improved to allow real-time monitoring and better decision-making during demonstrations.
On the matter of compensation, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration stated that it currently lacks a designated vote head for compensating victims or families of those killed in such circumstances a revelation that has fueled further outrage from the public and elected leaders.
Hon. Mugabe decried the lack of institutional support for grieving families and emphasized the need for legal reforms and compassionate policies.
“The community is grieving, and the pain is deep.
It is unacceptable that families who have lost loved ones both to community conflict and police bullets are left without answers or help,” he said in Parliament.
As investigations continue, Likuyani residents and the nation await justice, hoping this tragedy becomes a catalyst for change in how law enforcement handles civil unrest and interacts with the communities it is meant to serve.
