By Damaris Muchika
97-year-old Ombui Orandi left his home in Biyonge Village at around 9:00 a.m., heading to Egetuki Trading Centre, about three kilometers away.
Despite his advanced age, Mzee Ombui was used to making the daily walk to the trading center and back home.
However, Wednesday, April 15, 2026, was different for him because his favorite politician, William Ruto, was expected to visit the area.
He was reportedly excited to see the president and told people along the way that he was happy the Head of State would be visiting “their home.”
After the President finished his speech, residents remained behind, as is common in the Gusii region, waiting to receive money popularly known as Goserwa from area MP Alpha Miruka.
At the gate of KMTC Gucha, chaos broke out and a stampede followed. Minutes later, Mzee Ombui’s body was found lying at the gate.
“When the President left, word spread that people should go to KMTC to receive money. My father had a hearing problem, and when he reached the gate people started pushing. He fell and people stepped on him. He remained there for some time until it was discovered there was a body at the gate, and that is when the MP stopped distributing the money,” said his son, Joshua Ombui, adding that each person was receiving KSh200.
The family said they later moved the body to Ogembo Mortuary and began burial preparations, saying they are financially strained and appealing for assistance to give him a dignified send-off.
The incident was reported at Ogembo Police Station at 12:55 p.m. under OB No. 15/15/04/2026.
Another son of the deceased, Francis Nyabuto Ombui, said he had met his father earlier that morning heading to Egetuki and was told he wanted to see President Ruto.
“Later, I received a phone call saying my father was lying at the KMTC gate,” he said.
He added that their father was rushed to Ogembo Hospital, but efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.
Several other people were also injured in the incident. The exact number has not been confirmed, but a 13-year-old Grade Nine boy from Kebere Village suffered chest and back injuries.
His mother, Beatrice Barongo Ondieki, said she had also gone to Egetuki hoping to receive money.
“I received KSh200 and returned home. Later I got a call informing me that my son had been injured in the stampede,” she said.
MP Alpha Miruka expressed sympathy to the deceased’s family, saying the stampede occurred some distance away from where he was distributing the money.
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