A gristly incident hits Sinaga village

A gristly incident hits Sinaga village

SAMUEL OSUMBA

A SOMBER mood engulfed Sinaga Village on Thursday April 7th 2005, when a gristly incident occurred at Mzee Elisha Atieno’s home. Mzee Elisha had contracted the services of a renowned skilled constructor, Otieno Onialo from Marenyo to demolish a cattle pen and reconstruct a new one.

On the material day, Otieno fundi,as he is fondly and commonly known by the locals, left his home in Marenyo to Elisha’s in Sinaga to begin the work on the said cattle boma. All was well and no one expected any misfortune to strike. With his tools and spanner boys, they embarked on the work. One by one, the nails dropped followed by the iron sheets.

It was at this time that hell broke loose as the brick walled building came down crumbling seriously injuring the unsuspecting fundi. According to eyewitnesses, Otieno was rushed to Yala Sub-district hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. The body was later taken to his home in Marenyo village.

It was shock and grief at Marenyo as many residents who got wind of the accident flocked the home, probably just to confirm the truth as many could not believe what had happened. “We saw him pass by just a couple of hours ago and it cant be that he has died that simply”, mourned one neighbour.

But the life of Otieno Fundi could have been saved if only his injuries were attended to urgently. Locals criticized the decision to ferry him to Yala Sub-district hospital, which is miles away from the scene of the accident and questioned why he could not be rushed to Sagam Community Hospital, which is only a kilometer away from the scene of accident for emergency treatment.

Mzee Elisha on his part was shocked and tongue tied. He was lost for words and only expressed grief. He sent his condolence to the deceased family.Otieno was laid to rest on April 11th 2005 at his Marenyo village. Speaking during the funeral, the local provincial administration cautioned the public against speculating on the incident and rather considers it as a normal accident that would befall anyone.

10 children, who are now total orphans, survive the deceased, who was by the time of his death a widower. May the Lord rest his soul in peace.