A cloud of grief and unanswered questions continues to hang over a family in Kisumu following the tragic death of Fidel Dennis, a final-year aerospace engineering student at Kenyatta University. What began as an ordinary outing with friends has ended in heartbreak, leaving relatives desperately seeking justice and clarity over the circumstances that led to his death.
According to his father, Edward Ofuong’o, Fidel left their home after informing the family that he was stepping out with friends and would return shortly. There was nothing unusual about his departure, and his family expected to see him back later that day. However, as the hours passed without any communication, concern quickly turned into fear.
Hoping to support his son and encourage him to continue his journey back to the university, Edward sent Fidel KSh25,000 via M-Pesa. He believed the money would help facilitate his travel and ensure he resumed his studies without difficulty. Sadly, that would be the last financial support he would ever send his son.
The following day, repeated attempts to reach Fidel on his mobile phone proved unsuccessful. His silence was unlike him, prompting the family to begin searching for answers. When they checked his room, they found his laptop and travel bag untouched, an indication that he had never left for the university as planned.
As relatives pieced together his final known movements, they learned that Fidel had spent the night visiting several entertainment spots in Kisumu with a group of acquaintances. According to accounts gathered by the family, he became separated from one of his friends after receiving a phone call that reportedly altered their plans. He was later seen at different clubs before mysteriously disappearing.
Fearing the worst, the family reported him missing at Kombewa Police Station. Soon afterward, individuals who had reportedly been with Fidel returned his mobile phone and wristwatch, claiming he had voluntarily handed over the items earlier. The explanation raised more questions than answers, with the family insisting that the belongings be handed over to investigators as potential evidence.
Their worst fears were confirmed when police informed them that a body had been recovered from River Nyamasaria. Identification documents found on the deceased confirmed it was Fidel. His remains were transferred to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital Mortuary, where relatives gathered in disbelief to identify the young man they had hoped would return home safely.
Detectives have since launched a murder investigation into the case. As part of the inquiry, investigators reviewed CCTV footage from one of the entertainment venues Fidel reportedly visited. According to police, the footage allegedly shows the university student appearing distressed and involved in a confrontation before he was seen leaving the premises alone.
An independent postmortem examination later concluded that Fidel died from a lack of oxygen and had sustained multiple injuries. Pathologists further reported that there were no signs of drowning, despite his body being recovered from the river, findings that have intensified calls for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
As detectives continue gathering evidence, Fidel’s family says they remains determined to pursue justice. They have expressed concern over what they describe as missing evidence and the pace of the investigations, urging authorities to leave no stone unturned.
The tragic loss of a young man on the verge of completing his university education has deeply saddened many Kenyans, with friends, classmates, and members of the public joining the family in calling for a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation to establish exactly what happened during Fidel Dennis’s final hours.
