Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has announced that the Linda Mwananchi movement will replace the vehicle of taxi driver Steven Otieno, who was severely injured during the August 16 political violence in Homa Bay. Otieno, a resident of Nyalenda, Kisumu, suffered machete wounds and a fractured arm while transporting a passenger to a Linda Mwananchi rally. Sifuna made the pledge on X, sharing a photo of a newspaper report detailing Otieno's injuries and loss of livelihood.
According to the newspaper report, Otieno was hired to transport Abbie Zuena to a Linda Mwananchi rally and was attacked by a group of youths armed with machetes and rungus while returning from Homa Bay on August 16. The attackers demanded money and valuables from Otieno and his passenger, and then set the vehicle ablaze after pulling them out and attacking them. Otieno suffered deep cuts to his face, back, arm, hands, and feet, as well as a fractured arm, before losing consciousness.
Otieno's mother, Irene Adhiambo, expressed her distress over her son's situation, noting that he was a breadwinner who was doing his job when he was attacked. She appealed to the Linda Mwananchi leaders to help her son get a new vehicle, as he was unable to work or meet his basic needs. Otieno had been working as a taxi driver to generate income for himself, his sister, and their parents, using a Subaru Legacy that belonged to his sister.
Abbie Zuena, the passenger Otieno was transporting, disputed some of Otieno's claims, stating that she had taken full responsibility for his medical care at a private hospital, spending over Ksh. 300,000, and provided financial assistance upon his discharge. She denied owing Otieno for his driving services and claimed that she had made payments to him via M-Pesa. Zuena also maintained that she had not promised to purchase a new car for Otieno.
Following Senator Sifuna's public statement, the Linda Mwananchi team is set to reach out to Otieno to address the vehicle replacement directly. Otieno had previously stated that he was promised financial assistance to secure another vehicle upon discharge, but had not received any help. The destruction of the Subaru Legacy left Otieno without a source of income, and he had appealed to leaders associated with Linda Mwananchi, including Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, for help.
The incident occurred during a period of political violence in Homa Bay, and Otieno's case has highlighted the challenges faced by innocent civilians caught up in such conflicts. The Linda Mwananchi movement has taken responsibility for supporting Otieno, and Senator Sifuna's pledge to replace his vehicle is seen as a gesture of goodwill and support.
The vehicle replacement pledge by Senator Sifuna brings hope to Otieno, who is still recovering from his injuries and struggling to make ends meet. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks faced by taxi drivers and other civilians during times of political unrest, and the need for leaders to take responsibility for the welfare of those affected.
Key points
- Senator Edwin Sifuna has pledged to replace the vehicle of taxi driver Steven Otieno, who was injured in Homa Bay political violence.
- Otieno was severely injured while transporting a passenger to a Linda Mwananchi rally and has been unable to work or meet his basic needs.
- The Linda Mwananchi team will reach out to Otieno to address the vehicle replacement directly.
