Shock and grief have gripped residents of Kabong’o Village in Kokwanyo East Location, Rachuonyo East Sub-county, following the brutal murder of Dr Daniel Odhiambo Dondi, a finance officer at Maseno University, who was allegedly hacked to death by a neighbour in a long-running land boundary dispute.
According to family members, Dr Dondi and the suspect had been engaged in a legal battle over a boundary when the neighbour allegedly ambushed him with a panga.
Witnesses said the attacker struck him down and, even after he collapsed to the ground, continued assaulting him before fleeing the scene.
The assault only ended after Dr Dondi’s daughter, who witnessed the horrific attack, raised an alarm that attracted neighbours to the homestead, forcing the suspect to escape.
The deceased’s father, Michael Dondi, confirmed that the land boundary dispute had been ongoing before it escalated into the fatal confrontation that claimed his son’s life.
“The suspect and my son were engaged in a legal dispute over a boundary before the fatal attack,” Michael said, his family devastated by the loss of a distinguished scholar.
According to Homa Bay County Police Commander, the suspect has since been arrested and taken to Ringa Police Station, where he awaits arraignment.
In a chilling detail shared by a witness on social media, the suspect reportedly walked himself to a nearby police station and declared that he had carried out the killing and was done with his mission.
Dr Dondi’s body was transferred to Rachuonyo South Sub-county Hospital in Oyugis Town for preservation as investigations continue.
The incident has reignited concerns over land-related violence in Homa Bay County, with many Kenyans expressing grief and outrage online.