"He was happy": Widow of cop killed in Homa Bay shares last conversation
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- Family of slain officer Jim Okundi demands justice after his death during a security operation
- Circumstances of Jim's death remain unclear, prompting calls for an independent investigation
- Widow and mother seek support, struggling to cope with the loss of sole family breadwinner
MIGORI — The family of police officer Jim Okundi is demanding answers and justice after he died while on duty during the Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay County.
The 30-year-old officer, attached to Muhoroni Police Station, was part of a security reinforcement team deployed on Sunday between Olare and Nyangweso trading centres in Rangwe Sub-county, along the Homa Bay-Kendu Bay Road. He later succumbed to injuries at a hospital in Kisumu.
For his wife, Avira Jim, the news came as a shock, as the couple had spoken earlier that Sunday afternoon.
“We talked that afternoon, and he told me he was a little busy but would get back to me, but he didn’t,” she told TUKO.co.ke in an exclusive interview.
Hours later, her phone rang.
“I received a call late at night at about 10 pm from a strange number, but I didn’t pick up. In the morning I called back; that’s when I received that devastating news,” she said, fighting back tears.
Avira and Jim leave behind one young child. Jim was the family’s sole breadwinner.
At the family home in Ndonyo village in Suna West, Migori County, Jim’s mother Priscillah Okundi made a direct appeal to the government.
“I am already old, and at my age I can’t take care of myself or the young widow I have been left with,” she said.
She asked authorities to clarify exactly what happened to her son and to step in to support the young family he left behind.
“I will help us heal by getting the truth. Help us take care of his young family because he was everything to us,” she added.
According to the family, the circumstances of Jim’s death remain unclear.
According to initial police reports, the officer was hit on the head with a stone by rowdy youths during the rally.
But his brother, Peter Okundi, says what they saw does not match that explanation.
Peter said he received calls from several officers on Monday morning confirming the death.
“What we saw on our brother and what his colleagues told us are different. The injuries we saw on him when we arrived seemed to be blunt, far from the claimed stone injury we were initially told,” Peter claimed.
The family is now calling for an independent investigation to establish the true cause of death.
The 30-year-old officer had just returned to work after he had gone for further training to qualify as a Corporal and had been home for two months on leave. He reported back to duty and died a week later.
“He was so happy to be back. He told us he wanted to provide better for his child,” a relative said.
As burial plans are underway, the Okundi family says their priority is truth.
They want the National Police Service and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority to give a clear account of what happened between Olare and Nyangweso that day.
“We are not asking for much. Just justice for our brother. We deserve closure,” Peter said.
For now, Avira is left to explain to their child why daddy will not be coming home, while Priscah worries about who will put food on the table.
The body of the slain cop has since been moved to St Joseph Ombo Mission Hospital morgue.
How many civilians and police officers were injured in Homa Bay?
TUKO.co.ke previously reported about the violent disruption of the Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay, where the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) released the names of 24 civilians and 10 security officers injured during the incident.
The tragedy escalated with the death of police driver constable Jim Richardson Okundi, raising urgent calls for accountability and a thorough investigation into the events that unfolded.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Masolo Mabonga (HOD Politics and Current Affairs) Masolo Mabonga is the HOD of the Political and Current Affairs desk. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication and Media Technology from Maseno University in 2017 and has previously worked with KNA and Opera News. He is a recipient of Elevate scholarship (2022) and is currently pursuing a law degree at MKU. Masolo has also received training from the Google News Initiative on Advanced Digital Reporting, Fighting Misinformation, and Experimenting with New Formats (2024). He has over seven years of experience in digital media. Email: masolo.mabonga@tuko.co.ke.
Sarah Zadock (Migori freelance reporter) Sarah Zadock is a Kenyan journalist with over six years of experience. She covers current affairs, specifically politics, alongside human interest news features. Sarah has generated news content for Fourth Estate Online in the Nyanza region, a Migori-based radio station and joined TUKO.co.ke’s correspondents’ network from early 2022. Sara is based in Migori county. Email: sarazadock111@gmail.com
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.