The Director of Digital, Innovations and Diaspora Communications in the office of the President Dennis Itumbi has penned down a long condolence note to his friend who passed on.
In long message Itumbi said, “Sometimes you hear of a news story and think it is has a remote connection to you.
That is how I got the news of the accident involving the Migori Women Rep.I said a prayer and secretely noted that police are usually forgotten in such incidents. Only to learn that the bodyguard who lost his life in the incident is Fred Owich.
We grew up together and spent our childhood playing games, discovering life and dreaming of success in our adulthood together.
We booked cars we would drive later in life by the roadside, whenever cars of the same number plate passed by, one of us lost the game.
We competed who would grow the best seedlings first. Our parents adominished us together and we shared food in our respective homes many times.
At some point in our adulthood as we sought education and hustled for what life had to offer, we parted ways. But each time we met we had memories to share. Sad to learn Fred, the ever smiling and happy guy, our volunteer protective bouncer as we grew up is gone. To the family, poleni sana. God strengthen and comfort you.
In Fred, we know you are a great family.From the larger Itumbi family, kindly accept our condolences.”
Mr. Itumbi friend was involved in a road accident that also that left Migori Woman Representative Pamela Odhiambo with injuries.
Fred Owich, worked as the bodyguard and driver to the Migori Woman Representative, is reported to have lost control of the vehicle while he tried to avoid hitting a boda-boda.
He died on the spot while the Woman Representative sustained chest injuries and was rushed to a Kisumu hospital and later flown to Nairobi for further treatment.
The road acciodents have become a nightmare in our roads with about 8,000 people killed in the last three years and about 58 killed this year.
However Interior Minister Fred Matiang’i announced the return of the dreaded public transport regulations, popularly known as the Michuki Rules, to tame rogue matatu drivers in the wake of concerns over the increasing road carnage.
Any PSVs, drivers, saccos and transport companies; passengers and relevant parties that fail to comply with the NTSA Act and the Traffic Act will be dealt with.
The rules’ requires PSV drivers and conductors to wear uniforms and PSV badges. Their photos are to be displayed prominently in the vehicle.