Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) camped at the home of Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale for the third day on Thursday, February 1 to gather crucial leads into the death of the lawmaker’s farmhand.
Khalwale had earlier told the police and the media that Kizito Moi Amukune was gored to death by his famous fighting bull ‘Inasio’ on Saturday night.
However, renowned Kakamega businessman Cleophas Shimanyula, alias Toto, poked holes in the senator’s statement, alleging that he (Khalwale) was behind the death of the 47-year-old man.
Khalwale dismissed the claims as false, adding that he had been forced to suspend burial plans for Moi to allow the police conclude their investigations into the incident.
“Following wild, baseless, and false claims by some pseudo-politicians in Kakamega, I’ve today been forced to indefinitely postpone the burial of my trusted fighter bull caretaker,” Khalwale said on Wednesday.
“I’ve readly opened up my home to the police to afford them an opportunity to make credible and conclusive investigations into this sad death thereby enabling them to pursue the matter to a logical conclusion before burial plans continue,” the legislator added in a post on X (formerly Twitter)
In another update on Thursday, Khalwale said the sleuths, led by Martin Nyukundi, had assured him that nothing would be left to doubt.
“Day 3 of investigations into the untimely death of my fighter bulls caretaker. The sleuths were back today. I thank Mr Martin Nyukundi from the national homicide department for assurance that nothing is being left to doubt,” Khalwale said.
Serious injuries
Addressing the media on Sunday, Khalwale said Moi’s body was discovered on Sunday morning by another farmhand.
The outspoken legislator and medical doctor revealed that Moi sustained serious injuries to the stomach, back, neck, and head, which could have led to his death due to excessive bleeding.
He said the deceased was alone at the time of the incident.
The late Moi had been the caretaker and trainer of the senator’s fighting bulls for more than 20 years.
Following the tragedy, the senator led his neighbours to kill the bull in line with Luhya traditions.
“My champion bull, Inasio, has attacked and instantly killed Kizito Moi Amukune. Moi has been the caretaker of my fighter bulls for over 20 years. In keeping with our culture, I have today speared bull Inasio to death,” he said.
“For 20 years, Kizito Moi Amukune, my fighter bull caretaker, earned an earnest day’s pay. RIP, my brother,” he added.
Moi’s body is being preserved at Kakamega County General Hospital morgue.
Bullfighting
Khalwale, popularly known as the ‘Bull Fighter’, has been organizing bullfighting competitions in Kakamega County for many years.
The competition, popular in the Western region, goes back decades and features two prized bulls fighting it out until one backs out
Thousands of locals often grace the events, where owners of the bulls like Khalwale are considered heroes.
