A wave of brutality has swept across Kisumu and Siaya, leaving three night guards dead and communities questioning the cost of safety in an increasingly violent region.

The sunrise over Nyanza this morning illuminated a grim reality for the region's private security sector. In a coordinated series of attacks that police describe as "beastly," three night guards were brutally murdered in separate incidents across Kisumu and Siaya counties. The killings, marked by extreme violence, have sent shockwaves through the fraternity of low-wage workers who stand as the first line of defence for businesses and homes.

These were not just robberies; they were executions. The sheer brutality—severed limbs and hacking—suggests a level of impunity that has local law enforcement on high alert. "These men died protecting property that is likely insured, while their lives remain unvalued," remarked a local union representative in Kisumu.

The Kondele Factory Raid

The violence began in the industrial heart of Kisumu. At a mattress factory in Kondele, 35-year-old Joash Otieno was hacked to death by a gang that raided the premises at dawn. Otieno, a father of two, stood his ground but was overwhelmed by the assailants. His colleague, whose name has been withheld, survived with critical injuries and is currently fighting for his life at a local hospital.

Horror in Siaya

In neighbouring Siaya County, the violence took an even darker turn. In Ndori, the mutilated body of an unidentified guard was discovered in a stream. Police reports confirm that his head, hands, and legs had been severed—a gruesome signature that has baffled investigators. Meanwhile, in Ugunja, 45-year-old Sylivester Ojawng met his end at a credit facility. He was killed while attempting to stop a gang that eventually made off with six motorbikes.

A Sector Under Siege

The incidents have reignited the debate over the arming and training of private security guards. Despite recent regulatory push reforms, many guards remain poorly equipped to handle armed gangs.

• Vulnerability: Most guards are unarmed and lack protective gear.
• Response Time: Police response in all three incidents was reportedly delayed.
• Compensation: Families of slain guards often face long legal battles for compensation.

"We are sitting ducks," said one guard in Kisumu town. "We carry rungus to fight men with pangas and guns. It is a suicide mission." As investigations continue, the families of Otieno, Ojawng, and the unidentified man are left to mourn, victims of a security ecosystem that often treats its most vital workers as collateral damage.