By TPT Correspondent
Is it a case of community envy, rejection or just a wider scheme by some neighbours to disinherit Rodgers Kahi and his wife Faye their ancestral property, which is just a two-acre plot?
And now questions are emerging after a close relative of Kahi was attacked while visiting her nephew’s property to inform some people who have allegedly occupied it that together with his wife, Faye they were planning to come back to Kenya- after years hiding in Ireland.
On October 20, 2025, Elsie Kagonya, an aunt of Kahi went to his homestead in Simboyi Village in North Maragoli, Vihiga County to check on its status.
However, as she delivered the message, one Wycliffe Lumiri who is related to Kahi, assaulted Kagonya and also threatened to kill her if she ever set foot in that homestead. This is according to a police report as documented in an Occurrence Book under the title: Threatening Report: 28/26/10/2025 at the Vihiga Police Station on October 23, 2025.
“To the station is Elsie Kagonya, a resident of Simboy village, North Maragoli location of Sabatia Sub-County within Vihiga County she do submit a report that she was threatened and assaulted by Wycliffe on 20th October 2025 when she visited Rodgers’ home,” the police report signed by the OCS, Vihig a Police Station reads in part.
Kahi is a nephew to Kagonya in their ancestral land at Simboyi in North Maragoli area on 20th October 2025 to inform the family members about Rodgers Kahi and the wife Faye Returning to Kenya after many years in Europe.
Apparently, Lumiri is claiming the one-acre property, which he says he purchased.
“The reportee says she was informed that the land was sold to Wycliffe who happens to be the neighbour,” the police report indicates further.
At this juncture, Kagonya tells the police, Lumiri and sons came out armed with machetes (Pangas) and chased her away shouting “tutakukatakata wewe” loosely to mean “we will kill you.”
At that moment, Lumiri shouted at Kagonya, “tell Rodgers and his family not to step in this village, we will kill them and damp their bodies in the river.”
According to the police, Kagonya managed to escape unhurt and now she is afraid of being attacked at her home, prompting to seek protection and safety at the police station.
The couple relocated to Ireland about four years ago when life became unbearable in Kenya following constant threats to their life.
In 2022, when they were applying for asylum in Ireland, they were escaping persecution at home occasioned by what they say was linked to some activities of a Community Based Organisation (CBO) they were running.
“In the year 2017 we were working with one Ronald Rubia who was a one of the directors of Community Bases Organization known as Gifted Hands Organization, which promoted the welfare and development of rural women, their rights and fighting poverty,” said the couple in a document seen by this publication.
Through the CBO, the couple and partners used to educate women and young girls against harmful practices, which could extend to Gender Based Violence (GBV), which they cite is prevalent in the area.
However, on their account it seems that at the time a section of the population were against the empowerment of women and girls, motivating a barrage of threats, which could extend to intimidations that they will be evicted.
“In June 2017 Ronald Rubia was shot dead at his home in Lukisi village, clearly sparking fear that we were being targeted because of our activities to empower women,” Kahi revealed then.
Two months later, it was his turn, and an arrow was shot at him hitting his leg, leading to a weeklong stay in hospital, and while reflecting on those incidences, the couple sensed that they were surrounded by a hostile community.
“We were evicted and our house was burned, and at this point now it became clear that our lives were in danger and moved to Nairobi for our safety,” the couple narrated.
But the danger was still rife as they were informed that some people who were against them were keen to eliminate them, according to an informer who passed the message to them.
It is then that they started plans to escape for safety, and they got assistance and moved to Ireland.
The danger is still there following the recent activities that saw their aunt being assaulted, threatened and told to inform the couple that they should not dream of coming back to their home.
