Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has been injured following what Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna described as a vicious attack in Kisumu earlier on Wednesday.
In a statement, Sifuna said he had spoken to Osotsi’s team and confirmed that the legislator was assaulted while at a barbershop in the lakeside city.
“I have spoken to Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi’s team and confirmed that he was viciously attacked and injured in Kisumu earlier today when he went to get a haircut,” Sifuna said.
The Nairobi senator added that Osotsi was being airlifted to Nairobi for specialised medical attention.
“The Senator is being airlifted to Nairobi as we speak. Whilst we wait further details, I strongly condemn this attack and ask the Police for immediate action on those responsible,” he stated.
Details surrounding the circumstances of the attack, including the motive and identities of the assailants, remained unclear by the time of publication.
Police have not yet issued an official statement on the matter.
According to the Senator’s aide, he was on a routine visit to Acacia for personal grooming (to take a shave) before proceeding to Java restaurant, where he met a friend and interacted cordially with members of the public for about 30 minutes.
It was during this time that a group of gun-wielding individuals confronted him, questioning his political stance and subsequently subjecting him to physical manhandling.
They demanded to know why he is supporting one-term and not two-term.
The senator's security detail that was present is said to have exercised restraint to avoid discharging firearms in a public setting, which could have resulted in grave harm to innocent civilians.
Osotsi, who represents Vihiga County in the Senate, is a member of the Linda Mwanachi faction of ODM led by among other Sifuna and Siaya Senator James Orengo.
He was recently dropped from the ODM Deputy Party leader position following his alignment with the side.
