Nathan Wasama Masai, a former Chesikaki councillor and an aspiring Member of Parliament for Mt Elgon, has reportedly been shot dead after unknown gunmen attacked him at his home in Tuikut, Cheptais, Bungoma County. The incident happened on Thursday night and has left residents, political leaders and supporters demanding answers as investigators begin looking into what happened.
According to reports, the attackers stormed Wasama’s residence before opening fire on him. He suffered multiple gunshot wounds during the attack. The assailants reportedly escaped immediately after the shooting, leaving behind a scene that has raised fresh concerns about security in the area.
By the time the incident became public, there was no official confirmation from police on the exact circumstances surrounding the attack or whether anyone had been arrested.
The killing has attracted attention because it happened only weeks after Wasama publicly announced that he would contest the Mt Elgon parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election. Although the motive behind the shooting remains unknown, the timing has prompted many people to call for a thorough investigation to establish whether the attack was connected to politics, business interests or another matter.
This was not the first time Wasama had reportedly been targeted. In 2024, he survived another shooting incident in the Kapcheshari area. During that attack, several bullets struck the rear part of his vehicle while he was travelling in the evening.
He escaped without injuries, but the latest incident has renewed questions about whether the two attacks could be related. Investigators are expected to examine both cases as they try to determine what led to his death.
Beyond politics, Wasama was widely known in Mt Elgon as a businessman and philanthropist. He was also an active member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and was involved in community activities that earned him recognition among many residents. His death has therefore been received with shock by people who knew him personally and those who had followed his political journey.
Leaders from the region have continued to mourn him while calling on security agencies to move quickly with investigations. Among the first to react was Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa, who condemned the killing and described it as a tragic incident.
He urged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to carry out a professional and impartial inquiry to establish exactly what happened and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
Barasa also expressed condolences to Wasama’s family, friends, the people of Mt Elgon and members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, saying the family deserved answers regarding the circumstances that led to the shooting.
The incident has now placed pressure on investigators to determine how the attackers gained access to Wasama’s home and whether they had planned the attack in advance. Detectives are also expected to establish if there were any threats made against him before the incident or if there is any connection between his death and the previous shooting in 2024.
The National Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations had not released an official statement confirming the details of the killing or announcing any arrests. This has left many questions unanswered as residents wait for more information from the authorities.
Wasama’s death comes at a time when political activities are gradually increasing ahead of the 2027 General Election, with many aspiring candidates already declaring interest in various elective positions.
His killing has added to growing concerns about the safety of political figures and public personalities, while residents of Mt Elgon continue to wait for investigators to establish the motive behind the attack and identify those responsible.