Former Siaya County Assembly Clerk Felix Olwero. Photo/Courtesy
By Daisy Okiring
Former Siaya County Assembly Clerk Felix Isaac Olwero was shot dead by police in Kombewa, Kisumu County, on Sunday night, in what authorities have described as a suspected case of mistaken identity.
According to a police report filed at Kombewa Police Station, the incident occurred at around 1 am when officers on patrol responded to a distress call about an attempted break-in at the White House Bar, an establishment owned by Olwero. Police say that in the swift response that followed, one officer opened fire and fatally shot a man reportedly wielding a machete. The victim was later identified as the bar’s owner, Felix Olwero.
His sudden death has not only shocked residents of Siaya and Kisumu counties but also reopened conversations about police conduct and accountability. Many are now calling for an independent probe into the incident to determine whether proper procedures were followed in what has been described as a tragic misjudgment.
Legal Battles and Career Controversy
Felix Olwero’s career was marked by both service and controversy. As Siaya County Assembly Clerk, he was a key administrative figure in the county’s legislative operations. However, his tenure ended in turbulence after his dismissal, which he contested in court, arguing it was wrongful and politically motivated.
At the time of his death, Olwero had been preparing to file an appeal against the Employment and Labor Relations Court in Kisumu, which had dismissed his petition earlier this year. He had sought reinstatement to his position and compensation equivalent to 12 months’ salary. His legal team had argued that due process was not followed in his termination, while the court ruled otherwise.
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The pending appeal, combined with his business ventures such as running the White House Bar, painted a picture of a man trying to rebuild his life despite setbacks. His death now leaves those efforts unfinished, adding a tragic note to an already turbulent chapter.
Questions Over Police Conduct
The shooting has drawn sharp scrutiny over the police’s use of force. Residents and human rights groups argue that officers should have exercised greater caution before discharging their weapons, especially when responding to a suspected burglary.
Police have maintained that Olwero was wielding a machete at the time of the shooting, which led to the officer’s reaction. However, critics argue that even if he was armed, as the owner of the bar, he could have been attempting to defend his property from intruders.
Community leaders and civil society organizations are now demanding a thorough investigation to determine whether the police acted recklessly. Calls are also growing for the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to take over the probe, given the sensitivity of the case.
The death of Felix Olwero adds to a long list of police-involved shootings in Kenya that raise questions about judgment, accountability, and the need for deeper reforms within the security sector. For the people of Siaya and Kisumu, the incident has not only taken away a familiar figure but also left behind a trail of grief, unanswered questions, and renewed calls for justice.
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