Just like his routine, 97-year-old Mzee Ombui Orandi left his home in Biyonge village at around 9am to go to Egetuki Centre, about three kilometres away.

Despite his advanced age, Mzee Ombui had made it his daily habit to walk to and from his home to spend his day at Egetuki Centre in Bomachoge Chache Constituency, Kisii County.

However, on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, it would be different for him because his favourite politician, President William Ruto, was coming to the centre.

He was eager to see him, and as he walked, he told people that he was happy that his president was in his backyard.

Mzee Ombui, whose national identity card says he was born in 1929, but the family says he could be as old as 100, was among hundreds of residents who thronged Egetuki Centre to witness the President as he commissioned the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Gucha Campus to enhance the training of medical professionals and strengthen the delivery of universal healthcare.

Photo of Mzee Ombui Orandi, who died after a stampede at Egetuki Centre in Bomachoge Chache Constituency, Kisii County.

Photo credit: Ruth Mbula| Nation Media Group

He also launched the construction of the 11-kilometre Sameta-Egetuki-Ikoba road and inspected the ongoing construction of Egetuki Modern Market.

"We have faithfully delivered on the commitments we made to the people of Kenya in our manifesto. Across the country, completed and ongoing projects stand as visible proof of our progress," said President Ruto.

After the President finalised his speech, as has become the norm in Gusii, residents remained behind to receive money (locally known as Goserwa) from their Member of Parliament, Alpha Miruka.

At the KMTC Gucha campus gate, a commotion occurred, and a stampede was witnessed. Minutes later, at the entrance, the lifeless body of Mzee Ombui lay on the ground.

Entrance of KMTC Gucha Campus in Bomachoge Chache, Kisii county, where 97-year-old Mzee Ombui Orandi died after a stampede.

Photo credit: Ruth Mbula| Nation Media Group

"When the President left, word spread that people should get to the KMTC grounds to receive some money. My father has a hearing problem, and at the gate, people started pushing their way in. He fell, and people stepped on him. He stayed there for some time until word got around that there was a body at the gate, and the MP stopped giving out the money," said Mr Joshua Ombui, Orandi's son, adding that people were being given Sh 200 each.

"We later took his body to Ogembo mortuary, and we have now started burial arrangements. We want to give our father a decent burial, but we have no means. We are asking for any assistance," said Mr Ombui.

The family later reported the incident at Ogembo Police Station at 12:55 pm under OB No. 15/15/04/2026.

Mr Francis Nyabuto Ombui said that on the fateful day, he met with his father as he walked to Egetuki Centre and told him he wanted to see President Ruto.

"Later in the day, I received a call that my father was lying at the KMTC gate," said Mr Nyabuto, Mzee Ombui's other son.

He said his father was rushed to Ogembo Hospital, but efforts to resuscitate him failed.

Several other people were injured in the incident.

The Nation cannot verify the number of those injured for now, but spoke with a 13-year-old boy from Kebere village.

According to medical reports in our possession, the Grade 9 boy sustained injuries to his chest and back.

The boy's mother, Beatrice Barongo Ondieki, said she had also gone to Egetuki with the hope of receiving money.

"I was given my Sh200 and left. I later received a phone call informing me that my son had been injured in a stampede," said Ms Barongo.

She said she rushed to Ogembo Hospital and had an X-ray performed on her son. Although he was found to be out of danger, he is nursing chest and back pains and is on medication.

When the Nation reached out to MP Miruka, he sympathised with Mzee Ombui's family but stated that the stampede occurred away from where he was distributing the money.

"Authorities are investigating the death; it's an unfortunate incident. He fell and was unable to get up," said Mr Miruka.

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rmbula@ke.nationmedia.com