Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has pledged to replace the vehicle belonging to taxi driver Steven Otieno, which was destroyed during violence in Homa Bay last month.
Sifuna made the promise on Saturday, September 19, after reading an account of Otieno’s experience during the August 16 violence linked to the Linda Mwananchi political rally.
Otieno, a taxi driver from Nyalenda in Kisumu, had been hired to transport passengers connected to the political event. While leaving Homa Bay, he said he encountered a group of youths and was attacked.
The driver sustained several injuries, including a fractured arm, and was taken to hospital for treatment. His vehicle, a Subaru Legacy belonging to his sister, was later set on fire, leaving him without the main source of income he used to support his family.
Otieno said he had hoped to receive assistance to get another vehicle after leaving hospital but claimed the promised support had not arrived.
His case attracted Sifuna’s attention after it was highlighted in the media. The senator then publicly promised that the Linda Mwananchi team would replace the vehicle and contact Otieno.
The issue had also involved disagreement over who should take responsibility for replacing the car. Abbie Zuena, who had been travelling with Otieno, said she had paid more than KSh300,000 towards his medical treatment and provided additional financial assistance, but denied promising to buy him another vehicle.
Sifuna did not give details on the type or value of the replacement vehicle or when it would be handed over.
The August Homa Bay violence left dozens of people injured and several vehicles damaged or destroyed, with authorities subsequently investigating the incident.