The family of a fourth-year student at Meru University is yet to come into terms with the loss of their kin who was shot dead by thugs at a local hospital.
Rodgers Opiyo is reportedly said to have been shot by thugs he walked into at Phadam Hospital in Umoja-Innercore early this week.
Opiyo had left his home, not far from the hospital, to get medication for his aunt who suffers from ulcers and some pain on her leg. He left a while before curfew hours kicked in but took too long to return which worried his aunt.
One of the relatives who spoke to a local daily said she thought his nephew was at the caretaker’s house where he would go to hang out sometimes.
She sent one of his cousins but he was not there. She decided to walk out but to her shock, he found his lifeless body lying on the ground at the entrance of the hospital.
One of the attendants at the hospital says Opiyo walked into the hospital when two thugs were robbing it and he was instructed to sit down which he hesitated due to confusion.
“When he walked in, he distracted them, and that is when the doctor, a receptionist, security guard and I managed to escape in different directions and soon after we had a gunshot,” the nurse recalled.
Witnesses told police that the two thugs were people who Opiyo knew from the estate which could be one of the reasons why they killed him. They first posed as customers seeking to buy drugs.
After shooting the 22-year-old in the neck, all those who were in the hospital were ordered to lie down and surrender their valuables which the thugs made away with.
Opiyo’s body was taken to Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital awaiting autopsy.
Police have since embarked on a probe. On Thursday, they scanned CCTV footage at the scene of the crime and also recorded statements from witnesses.
No arrest has been made so far.
