A Mount Elgon parliamentary aspirant Nathan Wasama Masai paid with life following a declaration that he would vie for the seat on Edwin Sifuna-led Linda Mwananchi Movement that has eroded the influence of established political parties in western Kenya.

The killing, described by locals as an assassination to wad off the rising popularity of Linda Mwananchi in a region long-considered a playground for every Tom, Dick and harry running for highest office in the country, happened on the back of Nairobi Edwin Sifuna’s whirlwind tour of western.

For the record Mt Elgon constituency has historically been a political hotbed characterised by fetish political contests between incumbent Member of Parliament Fred Chesebe Kapondi and his predecessor John Serut, who died in 2022.

The rivalry between Kapondi – who has previously been adversely mentioned in the 2007 and 2008 post-election violence – and Serut gave rise to Sabaot Land Defence Force militia that killed and maimed scores of locals that opposed ethnic Sabaot nationalism and militarism.

The assassination of Wasama, has thus shocked the electorate in Bungoma County. The former Chesikaki councillor and 2027 Mt Elgon parliamentary aspirant was reportedly gunned down at his home in Tuikut village, Cheptais, on the night of August 6 by unknown assailants who stormed his compound and opened fire before fleeing.

No arrests have been made, neither suspects identified as police at Cheptais said they had launched investigations to establish the motive behind the killing.

The murder comes only weeks after Wasama publicly declared his intention to contest the Mt Elgon parliamentary seat on Linda Mwananchi Movement ticket in the 2027 General Election. It also follows an earlier attempt on his life in 2024, when gunmen reportedly ambushed and shot at his vehicle in Kapcheshari. He survived that attack without injury.

Beyond his political ambitions, Wasama was widely known as a businessman, philanthropist and a committed member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, earning recognition for his involvement in community development initiatives across the region.

His death has drawn condemnation from leaders across the political divide. Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to move swiftly and ensure those responsible are identified and brought to justice.

The killing is likely to heighten security concerns in Mt Elgon, a region that has experienced episodes of violence linked to land disputes, banditry and political rivalry over the years. However, investigators have not indicated whether the shooting was politically motivated or connected to any other dispute.

As detectives piece together the circumstances surrounding the attack, residents and supporters are demanding a thorough, transparent investigation, hoping those behind the killing are held accountable.

• A Tell Media report / By Special Correspondent