Page 2 - link magazine

2 swindonlink.com • February 2008
Murdered for being on the wrong side

Christmas preparations were going well for Winnie Oluoch and her children in Freshbrook until she received a text message on 21 December
saying that her brother Martin, 31, pictured, had been killed by a marauding band of political thugs in Kenya.
He had been driving a car in a Within two hours of being told in a friend’s house and place on 11 January.
convoy for an opposition politician Winnie had booked her flight and the police were beat- Now Winnie is ap-
in the Kisumu area, in the west of she arrived on election day, 27 De- ing up any gathering pealing for help for
Kenya, when it was held up by sup- cember. She flew on to Kisumu and and shooting people. It bereaved families in
porters of the governing party. The was able to see Martin’s body before was terrible hearing the the Kisumu area. “I’m
politician was not travelling with travelling onto the family village 75 screams at night. just about coping, but
them, but the group was set upon. miles away to make burial arrange- “We couldn’t arrange in Kenya there are no
All the others managed to get ments with her parents. for Martin’s body to support services to
away but Martin was caught and “The results were announced in be transported from help people deal with
brutally attacked and stabbed favour of the president Mr Kibaki Kisumu to the village; their trauma,” said
through the heart. on Sunday 30 December and there it was so heartbreaking. Winnie, a member of
“It was completely devastating, was total chaos,” said Winnie. We tried to talk to the St Peter’s RC Church
I just could not accept Martin was “More than 40 people were killed in police but they said any gathering in Westlea.
dead,” said Winnie. “He was killed Kisumu and there were thugs roam- would be broken up.” “People want to talk about their
just two days before his birthday.” ing around the village. I had to hide In the end Winnie had to make experiences and give information
a choice, to stay until things were to legal and human rights inves-
calmer and the funeral could take tigators to see if there is any legal
The Accident Specialist place or return to her children in redress.”
If you can assist Winnie in any
Swindon and her teaching job in
S.J.EdnEY SolicitorS Thatcham. She decided to come way, contact The Link on 608840 or
back but had to pay bribes at five mail: [email protected]
road blocks to get to Kisumu air- • A fundraising meal will be held at the
Had an accident/injured? port safely. Bombay Lounge restaurant on Mon-
On the road? At work? Martin’s funeral finally took day 11 February. See page 29.
Slip? Trip? Clinical negligence?
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