Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi was seriously injured after a group of assailants brutally attacked him at a restaurant in Kisumu’s Western Mall on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, triggering widespread condemnation across Kenya.
According to officials, the senator had visited the area for a haircut and to meet a friend before the attack unfolded. CCTV footage shows him being confronted by armed individuals inside the eatery, where he was violently assaulted in what has been described as a well‑coordinated ambush.
After the assault, Osotsi was initially treated at Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu and later airlifted to Nairobi for specialised care, with Nairobi MP Edwin Sifuna confirming that the senator is “stable but badly injured.”
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has condemned the attack as “brazen and cowardly” and launched an investigation, urging the public to remain calm as detectives pursue leads. Authorities say the motive has not yet been established and that those responsible must be brought to justice.
In a post on social media, Babu Owino, Member of Parliament for Embakasi East, strongly condemned the incident and blamed state actors for allegedly orchestrating the assault, calling for swift arrests and accountability. His remarks reflect growing anger among some political circles that claim the attack was politically motivated.
National and local leaders,including Siaya Governor James Orengo, Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, and other civic voices have also denounced the violence, describing it as an intolerable act that undermines Kenya’s democratic values and the right to peaceful political engagement.
The public and political figures alike are now waiting for police findings and possible arrests as the probe continues. Security agencies have appealed for cooperation in the investigation while warning against speculation that could inflame tensions.