Kisumu County finds itself under scrutiny following the fatal attack on Hannington Were, son of former Matungu MP David Were, in Tom Mboya Estate. The incident has alarmed residents, prompting serious concerns about whether Kisumu represents a city of promise or a breeding ground for violence.
The 39-year-old victim was assaulted during the early morning by men on a motorcycle. According to witnesses, the attackers hit him with a blunt instrument and made off with his phone. A companion who was present managed to flee for assistance but later discovered Hannington critically wounded.
Former MP David Were conveyed profound sorrow over the loss, portraying his son as a promising individual. “This catastrophe has devastated our family. We have lost a diligent young man with great aspirations and potential. It is devastating to witness crime destroying families’ futures,” he stated.
The family’s mourning is intensified by previous encounters with violence. Merely five months prior, they laid to rest their eldest child who had been assaulted by a landlord in Nairobi. In 2023, David Were narrowly survived an attack in Mamboleo, which he suspects was a plotted assassination attempt.
His spouse, Jane Were, expressed her distress regarding the persistent violence. “We are consumed by sorrow. First my husband was assaulted, now my son has been murdered. These acts of violence are destroying families and plunging us into despair,” she lamented.
The slaying has ignited public outrage in Kisumu, with residents doubting the efficacy of current security arrangements. Violent incidents have occurred in broad daylight, causing widespread anxiety about the days ahead.
David Were stressed the critical need to tackle insecurity. “I survived my assault purely by chance. Now my son has become a victim. How many additional lives must be sacrificed before substantial measures are implemented?” he questioned.
Law enforcement has committed to increasing patrols and combating criminal organizations, yet doubt persists. For bereaved households and anxious inhabitants, Kisumu faces a pivotal decision: whether to restore its reputation as a resilient city or remain overshadowed by the threat of violence.