The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kenya has begun probing a tragic incident of mob justice that took place during a political rally in Vihiga County, resulting in the death of a boda boda rider identified as George Olande Otobe. Otobe was allegedly killed on February 21, 2026, in Mbale Town following a confrontation with another man named Hussein Hassan. The altercation reportedly escalated when Otobe allegedly struck Hassan with a knife, leading to a violent reaction from the gathered crowd, who then turned on Otobe, resulting in his fatal injuries.

Preliminary investigations indicate that after Otobe stabbed Hassan during their confrontation, bystanders responded with extreme violence, prompting police and DCI to take action. A knife was recovered at the scene of the incident, while the body of Otobe was subsequently transported to the Vihiga County Referral Hospital for a postmortem examination. This brutal event has raised significant concerns regarding public safety at political gatherings, particularly around the issue of supporters being armed during such events, which has become a growing concern in Kenya's increasingly charged political landscape.

The incident highlights the critical need for improved security measures at political rallies in Kenya, given the history of politically motivated violence in the region. With investigations ongoing, the DCI's efforts will likely focus on identifying the mob participants and reinforcing the legal measures necessary to deter such acts of violence during political activities, underscoring the urgent need to address the broader context of political intolerance and mob justice in the country.