BUNGOMA, Kenya — Former Chesikaki councillor and Mt Elgon parliamentary aspirant Nathan Wasama Masai was reportedly shot dead by unknown assailants at his home in Tuikut village, Cheptais, Mt Elgon Constituency, on Thursday 6, August 2026 night, in an attack that has shocked leaders and residents across Bungoma County.
According to preliminary reports, armed attackers raided Wasama’s residence before opening fire on him multiple times. The assailants reportedly fled the scene immediately after the shooting, leaving him with fatal gunshot injuries.
Images circulating on social media appeared to show the deceased with multiple gunshot wounds to the chest. However, the authenticity of the images and the circumstances surrounding the attack had not been independently verified by the time of publication.
Neither the National Police Service (NPS) nor the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had issued an official statement confirming the incident or its circumstances by the time this story was published.
Wasama’s killing comes only weeks after he publicly declared his intention to contest the Mt Elgon parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election.
The fatal shooting also follows an earlier attempt on his life in 2024, when gunmen attacked him in the Kapcheshari area of Mt Elgon.
During that incident, several bullets struck the rear section of his vehicle at about 7 p.m., but he escaped unharmed. The motive behind that attack was never publicly established.
Whether Thursday night’s killing is linked to the earlier shooting remains unclear.
Beyond politics, Wasama was widely known in Mt Elgon as a businessman, philanthropist and an active member of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church, where he participated in community and church activities.
News of his death triggered an outpouring of grief from political leaders and residents, many of whom described him as a respected community figure and called for those responsible to be brought to justice.
Among the first leaders to mourn him was Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, who condemned the killing and urged investigators to move swiftly.
“It is with profound sadness that I learned of the tragic death of former Councillor Nathan Wasama, who was reportedly shot at his home in Tuikut, Cheptais, and later succumbed to his injuries,” Barasa said.
He described the shooting as a senseless act of violence.
“I unequivocally condemn this senseless act of violence. No one should lose their life under such tragic circumstances, and those responsible must be identified and held accountable through the due process of the law,” he added.
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The legislator further extended his condolences to Wasama’s family, friends, the people of Mt Elgon and members of the SDA Church, describing the deceased as a respected son of the region.
Barasa also called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to conduct what he termed a swift, impartial and thorough investigation into the killing.
“I call upon the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to conduct a swift, impartial and thorough investigation to ensure justice is served,” he said.
As detectives begin piecing together the circumstances surrounding the attack, investigators are expected to examine possible motives, including whether the killing bears any connection to the previous attempt on Wasama’s life or his recent political activities.
By the time of publication, police had not announced any arrests or identified suspects, while authorities were yet to issue an official statement on the fatal shooting.
