A chilling incident has left residents of Kiminini, Trans Nzoia County, in shock after a 22-year-old man reportedly murdered his six-year-old stepbrother using a hoe stick. The tragedy occurred on May 28 in the Stofa Farm area. According to police, the assailant struck the boy on the head with the blunt object, fatally injuring him on the spot.
The victim’s mother tried to intervene after being alerted to the attack, but sadly, her efforts came too late. The boy succumbed to his injuries while being rushed to hospital. Following the attack, the suspect fled the scene and remains at large. Authorities have launched a manhunt to apprehend him, while the body of the child was transferred to a local mortuary pending a postmortem and further investigations.
The motive behind the brutal act is still unknown, and police are treating the matter with urgency, given its disturbing nature. The incident has sparked outrage and sorrow in the local community, highlighting growing concerns over mental health, domestic violence, and unresolved familial tensions.
In a separate case in Maili Saba, also in Trans Nzoia County, a 64-year-old man, Eliud Masinde, lost his life after a violent altercation at his home. The confrontation escalated into a physical assault that resulted in fatal injuries. Police confirmed that the suspect in the attack was arrested and is expected to face murder charges. Details surrounding the cause of the argument remain unclear, but the swift response from authorities ensured that the alleged perpetrator was taken into custody.
Meanwhile, another tragic incident occurred in Tereno village, Nandi County, where a 64-year-old man identified as Joel Koskei was attacked and killed by his five step-sons. The fatal assault stemmed from an ongoing land dispute, and the attackers used crude weapons to inflict severe head injuries on the victim. After the brutal attack, the suspects fled the scene and are currently being sought by law enforcement officers.
This incident highlights the deep-rooted and often volatile issues surrounding land ownership and inheritance in rural areas. Disputes over property and family disagreements frequently escalate into violence, underscoring the urgent need for community-based conflict resolution mechanisms.
In a separate and equally disturbing incident in Matsangoni area of Kilifi County, a 70-year-old man named Josephat Katana was fatally shot with an arrow. The attack, carried out by a group riding on a motorcycle, left the elderly man with an arrow lodged in his ribs. He managed to cry for help, prompting his family to rush him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Interestingly, the assailants did not steal anything, leaving investigators puzzled over the motive. The attack is part of a worrying trend in the region where killings of elderly people are on the rise. Police suspect that some of these incidents may be linked to cultural beliefs and superstitions, further complicating efforts to address the root causes.
These cases reflect a broader societal issue involving violence within families and communities, often driven by disputes, poverty, and deeply entrenched beliefs. Authorities continue to appeal to members of the public to report suspicious behavior and assist in efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice. Investigations in all cases are ongoing, with autopsies scheduled to determine the exact causes of death.
