For Rose Ochieng, October 2 had always been a day of joy—the birthday of her firstborn son, Walter Habil Ogano. But instead of celebrating Walter’s 31st year of life, the Kitengela-based teacher found herself engulfed in grief, planning a funeral rather than a birthday party.
Walter’s lifeless body was discovered on September 26 in the Kyangombe area of Kitengela. A graphic designer who took on odd jobs to support his family, Walter had only just begun a new job. His company badge was the only clue that enabled police to trace his family after his phone was stolen.
“I last spoke to him less than 24 hours before his death,” Ms. Ochieng recalled painfully. “By the time I arrived at Shalom Community Hospital, I was told to go to the morgue. My son was already gone.”
A postmortem conducted by Dr. Simon Omuok revealed that Walter died from internal head bleeding caused by blunt force trauma. While police initially claimed he might have been lynched on suspicion of theft, his family strongly rejected that explanation, calling for a full investigation.
Walter’s uncle, Barack Odido, described the incident as “outrageous and inhumane,” insisting that his nephew was a polite, hardworking man who had no ties to crime. For the family, the lynching narrative is not only painful but also deeply suspicious, raising fears of a possible cover-up.
Beyond the personal tragedy, Walter’s death has reignited concerns about rising insecurity in Kitengela. Residents point to the reign of terror unleashed by juvenile gangs known as Gaza and ZZ, who roam the township at night committing robberies and assaults. Hotspots such as Mwireri Lane and Kyangombe, where Walter was found, have become notorious for violence between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m.
Isinya Sub-County Police Commander Simon Lokitari confirmed that detectives will review the autopsy report alongside earlier findings, adding that investigators are ready to re-examine the crime scene once the family files a formal complaint. Meanwhile, Isinya Deputy County Commissioner Michael Yator said security agencies have already profiled members of the gangs and are “waiting for the right time to pounce” to dismantle their networks.
As the Ochieng family prepares to lay Walter to rest, their grief is compounded by the unanswered questions surrounding his death. For them, justice is not just about closure but also about ensuring that no other parent has to endure the pain of losing a child to violence in Kitengela’s unsafe streets.
Walter’s story is a tragic reminder that behind statistics of crime and insecurity are real families, real futures, and dreams cut short. His mother, who once celebrated October 2 with joy, now faces that date with sorrow—an unbearable transformation of a birthday into a day of mourning.
