The death of Gabriel Atoko who once worked at Mumias Outgrowers Company has generated a lot of political heat in the sugar belt of Kakamega.
Atoko collapsed at his Kakamega home and was buried last Saturday. It has since emerged that he was a key witness in a case in which Nairobi governor Evans Kidero has sued Kakamega senator Bonnie Khalwale for defamation.
Word has it that Atoko gave the senator crucial documents at an agreed fee. A down payment was made but a balance remained.
His efforts to get his balance paid were fruitless. Prior to his death, it is said his children were out of college due to failure to pay fees. Stressed, he collapsed and died while working on his farm. He had tried to reach out to Khalwale on his phone but in vain according to one of the sons.
At the burial, fireworks flew with Governor Wycliffe Oparanya’s camp stating that Khalwale had paid Atoko Sh100,000 when the agreed amount was Sh300,000.
Khalwale has declared he will oppose Oparanya for the governorship seat 2017.
Khalwale’s senator position is also eyed by Stanley Livondo who has been camping in Kakamega county establishing networks.
As fate would have it, Khalwale and his driver escaped death by lynching in the hands of an irate mob when his car, a Toyota Prado VX, crashed a woman to death at the Kondoo junction at Burnt Forest last Saturday morning as Atoko was being buried. Khalwale is understood to have been going to attend a political rally Kitale.
Nelson Taliti, Eldoret East Police boss had Khalwale’s driver and the car detained at the police station while the senator was let to go. He had to hike a lift from a friend’s car that was trailing him.
Citizen
