Gloom hangs over Nyikendo village in Kakrao Ward, Suna East Sub-County, following the brutal murder of Stanley Ojowi, a 34-year-old electrician with the Migori County Department of Water and Energy.

Stanley was slain alongside two companions at Mapera market while performing night maintenance duties, sparking widespread grief, anger, and urgent demands for justice across the community.

The tragedy began on the evening of Thursday, July 30, when Stanley returned home early to spend time with his family.

His 28-year-old wife, Hyles Nyaboke Odhiambo, recalled that he brought food for her to prepare before he headed back out for work.

After taking a shower and eating, he left with two neighbors and friends, one to drive and the other to assist him, as they routinely did.

The trio loaded solar panels and a ladder onto a pickup truck and set out around 5pm to install streetlights.

At around 9pm, Stanley called his wife to share his progress, letting her know they had successfully installed two solar lights with five remaining before wishing her a good night.

The full horror of the situation unraveled early the following morning.

At around 6am, a local taxi driver rushed to the Ojowi homestead with news of a horrific attack.

Stanley’s father, Petalis Ojowi, who had spoken with his son just before he left for work the previous evening, rushed to the scene at Mapera market.

There, he was greeted by a massive crowd, a charred pickup truck, and a pool of blood.

Shock of their lives

When the family arrived at the hospital morgue, the devastating reality became clear, as the victims had been burned beyond recognition.

Stanley’s mother, Mary Ojowi, wept bitterly, expressing the agony of seeing her son’s remains and grieving that death had snatched him away so cruelly.

Hyles was similarly broken when confronted with the truth at the morgue, left to mourn a husband while raising their two young children, aged 8 and 5, alone.

False allegation

In the wake of the killings, preliminary local rumors falsely alleged that the victims were involved in theft, a claim vehemently rejected by both the family and county authorities.

Petalis Ojowi strongly defended his son’s character, demanding that police track down the perpetrators and urging the government to provide better security for night-shift workers.

David Ocholla, Chair of the Migori Public Service Board, who has known Stanley since childhood, affirmed that he died while on duty and maintained an untarnished record.

Silas Owuor, the County Executive Committee member for Water and Energy, echoed these sentiments, reassuring the public that Stanley was a legitimate employee, that no reports of theft existed, and that the county would stand firmly behind the family while investigations continue.

To support the grieving family, the Migori County Government committed to covering all burial expenses, including morgue fees, coffins, and the post-mortem procedures which were done today.

Due to the severe condition of his body, the family and county authorities confirmed that the funeral will proceed without delay, and Stanley Ojowi will be laid to rest on Friday, August 7, 2026, in Nyikendo village.