A land boundary dispute turned fatal in Kakrigu Village, Rusinga East Location, on Tuesday morning, when Prof Tom Odhiambo, an academic from the Technical University of Kenya (TUK), was brutally killed in an attack that has shocked the Mbita Sub-county community.

Prof Odhiambo, who had travelled home to resolve a long-running disagreement over land demarcation, was ambushed and hacked to death by two assailants wielding machetes. The confrontation took place before the scheduled arrival of a local chief and a land surveyor, who had been called in to mediate the dispute.

According to local authorities, tensions had been simmering after some neighbours reportedly encroached onto Prof Odhiambo’s land. Seeking an amicable resolution, the professor involved the local administration and a land expert to verify the property boundaries.

“He followed the legal way to seek redress over the matter,” said Mbita Deputy County Commissioner Peter Mutiso. “It is a very barbaric incident.”

Prof Odhiambo and his elderly father arrived at the disputed parcel of land ahead of the chief and the surveyor on the day of the attack. Two young men then emerged from the bushes and attacked the professor before fleeing the scene.

Mutiso confirmed that Prof Odhiambo suffered fatal head injuries during the ambush. His body was later transferred to MED 25 Kirindo mortuary, while his father, who also sustained serious injuries, was rushed to Mbita Sub-county Hospital for treatment.

“The suspects disappeared after committing the heinous act,” said Mutiso, who added that security agencies had launched investigations to aid their arrests.