The mysterious death of Benjamin Barasa, a third-year Bachelor of Science student in Human Resource Management at Rongo University, has sparked widespread outcry and demands for justice. Barasa, who went missing on May 7, 2024, was found dead two weeks later, with his decomposing body discovered at Ruaka River in Kiambaa constituency.
The deceased’s elder sister, Lorine Oyakapel, travelled from Nakuru to Karuri upon receiving news of her brother’s disappearance. Addressing the press a day after her brother’s burial last Saturday, Lorine expressed frustration over the unresolved circumstances surrounding Barasa’s death, stating that there are more questions than answers.
According to Lorine, Barasa, his cousin Joshua, and friend Amos went to a local pub called Bar 69 on May 7, 2024, to watch an English Premier League match. The trio reportedly left the bar at 11:47 pm. Outside the bar, they encountered a drunkard lying on the road. Joshua attempted to attack the drunkard but was restrained by Barasa, who feared potential retaliation from the man’s friends.
Joshua eventually complied, and the trio decided to head home. However, the drunkard later returned with several friends, prompting Barasa, Joshua, and Amos to seek refuge in a nearby bush. After some time, they assumed the threat had passed and returned to the bar. On their way home, Joshua realized that Barasa was missing.
At 12:30 am, Barasa allegedly knocked on the door of his female friend, known by the nickname Shi, but she did not open, citing fatigue. According to Lorine, it was customary for Barasa to stop by Shi’s place after leaving work at Twisted Club.
Near the home of Barasa’s brother Kaunya, his slippers were found along the road. At 2 am, a nearby resident reported hearing someone calling out “Benjamin, Benjamin.” Lorine revealed that postmortem results were inconclusive, showing no apparent cause of death and indicating that all organs were destroyed.
Barasa, an aspiring poet who performed under the stage name “Generic1990” at the National Theatre in Nairobi, was buried last Friday on his father’s farm in Awaata village, Amagoro Division, Busia County.
Dennis Kaunya, the deceased’s father and brother to Teso North MP Oku Kaunya, reported the case at Karuri police station upon arriving in Kiambaa on May 9, 2024. The investigation gained momentum on May 20, 2024, when the case was transferred to Kiambaa DCIO Christopher Wambua, who interrogated suspects and gathered testimonies.
Kaunya recounted receiving a call from an anonymous person claiming to be Inspector Mbugua, who instructed him to send Ksh. 6000 to facilitate Barasa’s transfer to Nairobi. After sending the money in installments, Kaunya was directed to travel to Kijabe and book an ICU, which he did in vain, as the contacts were later unreachable.
On May 23, 2024, the manager of Twisted Club informed Kaunya that a body matching Barasa’s description had been found at Ruaka River and moved to the City Mortuary.
The family continues to seek justice, urging the government to intervene in uncovering the truth behind Barasa’s tragic death. The case has highlighted the need for thorough investigations and accountability in resolving the mysterious circumstances that led to the loss of a young life.
