Ugandan Herbalist Denies Role in Brutal Murder of Kisumu Nurses Union Official
Asuman has been charged with murdering Ongeri between July 24 and July 27, 2019. The court denied him bond, citing the prosecution’s argument that he was a flight risk.
Brossy Makimtigwa Ongeri, the widow of the late Ferdinand Ongeri.
A Ugandan herbalist, Mawanda Asuman, has denied any involvement in the gruesome murder of Ferdinand Ongeri, the Kisumu branch deputy chairman of the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN). Ongeri’s decomposed body was discovered in Kimondi Forest, Nandi County, in 2019, five years ago.
Testifying before Eldoret High Court Judge Reuben Nyakundi, Asuman distanced himself from the accusations, stating that he was in Uganda at the time of the murder. “The slain nurse was my client and a friend. I used to treat him for obesity-related complications, and there is no way I could have turned against him as alleged by the witnesses,” Asuman said in his defense.
The herbalist, who operates his business in Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda, argued that no concrete evidence linking him to the crime had been presented in court. He also refuted claims that a bag seized by police belonged to the deceased, asserting that it contained his own personal documents, including his passport, national ID, and a practicing certificate.
Asuman has been charged with murdering Ongeri between July 24 and July 27, 2019. The court denied him bond, citing the prosecution’s argument that he was a flight risk.
A Community in Mourning
The late Ongeri was reported missing from his workplace after successfully negotiating a promotion for nurses with Kisumu County health officials. His decomposing body, discovered by a herdsman in Kimondi Forest, was later identified by his wife, Makimtingwa Ongeri, and his mother, Isabel Ongeri Ondiek.
The widow, a Ugandan nurse, broke down in tears during her testimony, recalling the harrowing moment she learned of her husband’s death. “I tried to call him several times from our Nyamira home, but one phone line rang unanswered while another was switched off. That had never happened in the seven years we were married,” she told the court.
Mrs. Ongeri described the gruesome state of her husband’s body, which was found naked with his throat slit, neck broken, and multiple bruises. “There was a deep cut on his mouth, indicating he had been tortured,” she added.
The deceased’s mother, Isabel, a retired nurse, recounted her last phone conversation with her son. “He was jovial and promised to visit me in a week. I never imagined it would be our last conversation,” she said.
Scene of the Crime
Emily Cherono, the area chief of Kaptuywa in Nandi County, testified about the condition of the body when she arrived at the crime scene. “The body had severe bruises, deep cuts on the stomach, and injuries in the mouth. It appeared the body had been transported to the forest from another location,” Cherono stated.
Next Steps
The case will come up for mention on January 16, 2025, to confirm whether both the prosecution and defense have filed their submissions. The court will then determine the next steps in the trial of Asuman, who maintains his innocence.
The murder of Ongeri, a respected nurse and union leader, has left a deep scar on his family, colleagues, and the community, who continue to seek justice for the slain health worker.
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