A community lives in fear after a brutal ambush claims the life of a businesswoman, exposing the deadly risks facing Kenya's mobile money agents.

Luanda, Vihiga — The bustling town of Luanda is in mourning, its vibrant commerce overshadowed by a dark cloud of fear following the cold-blooded murder of Beverline Afwande. The 44-year-old businesswoman, a well-known M-PESA agent, was gunned down on Friday evening in an incident that has shocked the region and reignited the debate over the safety of those who drive Kenya’s financial inclusion.

Afwande was not just a statistic; she was a pillar of her local economy. On that fateful Friday, February 13, she did what she had done a thousand times before: she closed her shop and boarded a motorcycle to head home. She never arrived. At a desolate stretch of the road, three men on a motorcycle ambushed her, blocking her path and shooting her in the chest before snatching her bag containing an undisclosed amount of money.

"They Waited for Her"

The precision of the attack suggests a chilling degree of premeditation. Police reports indicate that the assailants had been trailing her, aware of her routine and the cash she likely carried. This was not a random act of violence; it was an execution fueled by greed. Afwande was rushed to the Coptic Mission Hospital, but the damage was catastrophic. She was pronounced dead on arrival, leaving behind a devastated family and a terrified community.

Detectives are now combing the villages of Vihiga, hunting for a gang that seems to operate with impunity. A spent cartridge recovered at the scene has been sent for ballistic analysis, a small piece of evidence that investigators hope will link the killers to other crimes in the area.

A Wave of Terror in the West

Afwande’s murder is not an isolated incident. It is part of a disturbing surge in violent crime sweeping across Western Kenya. In neighboring Kakamega County, 26-year-old Brian Onyango recently died after a brutal assault in Butere. In Siaya, a boda boda rider is fighting for his life after being attacked for his motorcycle.

The pattern is clear: armed gangs are targeting small business owners and transport operators, exploiting the cover of darkness and the remoteness of rural roads. M-PESA agents, who often handle significant cash float, are particularly vulnerable. Despite their essential role in the economy, they lack the security infrastructure of banks, making them "soft targets" for ruthless criminals.

• Victim: Beverline Afwande (44)
• Location: Luanda, Vihiga County
• Crime: Armed Robbery & Murder
• Context: Part of a regional crime wave

The Cry for Justice

The residents of Luanda are demanding more than just investigations; they want action. "We are working for thieves," lamented one local trader. "You toil all day only to be killed for your sweat." The police have urged the public to cooperate, warning that stolen motorcycles are often refurbished and sold to unsuspecting buyers, fueling the cycle of violence.

As Beverline Afwande is laid to rest, her death must serve as a wake-up call. The security apparatus in Vihiga needs a strategic overhaul. Patrols must be increased, and intelligence networks strengthened. Until then, every sunset in Luanda will bring with it the terrifying question: who is next?