By Abdimalik Hajir

Garissa Teachers Training college is mourning the killing of their physical Education lecturer who was killed on Saturday evening and called for immediate arrest of his killers

Hillary Ochieng Minundi was killed within Garissa township on Saturday evening by marauding gangs armed with machetes before robbing him of his phones and other valuables.

According to sources, the tutor while riding on his boda boda was stopped by three youthful gangs on motorcycle who violently tried to rob him in the process he was stabbed on the chest, he died at Garissa referral hospital while receiving treatment.

In an interview with Frontier Online, the college Principal Noor Adhan described the deceased teacher as a good tutor who was dedicated to his work and asked the authorities to expedite investigation and arrest suspects.

The incidents have created tension and sparked outrage amongst locals with calls by police to tame marauding gangs who have in the recent past been on the loose, the daring youths between 15-to 20years have been killing their victims and robbing them.

Mr Adhan said the college community is in shock following the tragic death of their colleague saying the training college has lost a brilliant tutor whose replacement will take long.

“We are so sad and we condole with his family, we are also asking the police to ensure the criminals are apprehended and punished, we only had two tutors for Physical Education, it’s a great loss to us,” he told the standard yesterday at his office.

At the college there was a somber mood with students sitting in groups perhaps trying to overcome the grief, the students described the incidents as shocking asking for speedy investigations.

“Its so painful, we are shocked by this incident, he was so humble, simple and always encouraged us to excel in our studies, he wanted the best for us the students in this college,” said Hibo Ahmed Gabow, the college’s Deputy Governor.

Garissa Teachera training college protesting following the killing of their Tutor Hillary Ochieng on Saturday, they have called for immediate arrest of criminals behind his tragic death. Photo/Abdimalik Hajir.

The student leader describing the killing of their teacher as an ‘unforgettable tragedy’ noted that the slain tutor had a positive attitude towards people in Garissa recalling his last words at the hospital as saying ‘what have i done’.

She raised concern for the safety of the students saying there were few incidents that students have had their phones snatched by these gangs asking for more elaborate security mechanisms within the institutions to ensure safety of students and lecturers in the institutions.

Garissa elder and chairman Livestock Marketing council Mzee Dubat Ali Amey have also called on the police for arrest and prosecution of those involved in criminal activities.

He said it’s very painful for someone to come all the way from south Nyanza to be killed in Garissa adding that he has a son and grandson who are teachers he will stand with the family of Mr Ochieng.

He called on both the county and national government to help the family transfer the body from Garissa to their home.

Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Mwaboza while asking for calm said police are pursuing various directions to ensure suspects are apprehended.

The county boss said he had a meeting with police leadership and they have come with a raft of measures to ensure security of people in the county is prioritized.

“Police will enhance patrols in various areas, we have also activated Nyumba kumi as well as chiefs in various areas have been asked to ensure there is a list of suspected criminals in their respective locations,” he told Frontier Online .

Mwaboza however said the biggest challenge they are facing is sustaining cases in court as communities do not support in terms of producing evidence adding that there is also a lot of mediation in various levels including at the police station, ODPP and even at the courts to ensure suspects are released.

“We are appealing to closely work with the government to provide information so that we secure this town, public cooperation is key in security management,” he said.