Two men in Kakamega beat brother to death for 'betraying father'

A 21-year-old man has been killed by his brothers in Ikoli village in Malava, Kakamega County over a domestic quarrel.

The suspects are said to have killed Alex Muchika, 21, after engaging in an argument with him over his wife and their father’s land.

Western Regional Police Commander Moses Ombati said the suspects, Sammy Mateche and Silas Mateche, have already been arrested.

"Two brothers are in custody for killing their kin over a land tussle and domestic quarrel. They tied the deceased with a rope and started beating him with crude weapons. He died while receiving treatment at Malava Sub-County Hospital. We are still gathering more information and the suspects will be arraigned in court," Mr Ombati said.

Eye witnesses said that the deceased was killed for reporting his father to the police.

crude weapons

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"The family wanted the deceased to divorce his wife because of her rude behaviour. The news did not go down well with him and he decided to report the matter to the police but his two brothers were angered by his act, saying their father was not in good health and he should not have done that,“ the eyewitness said.

The brothers tied the deceased to a tree and descended on him with crude weapons.

After assaulting him, they tried to flee but were apprehended by neighbours who handed them to the police.

"The major reason why these children have killed their brother is because of reporting their father to the police. Such issues should have been solved immediately instead of killing each other. I have never seen these children fighting. I am shocked and still can't understand what could have led them to engage in such a cruel act," said Gladys Namuranda, their aunt.

Alex's widow, Princess Muchika, had warned her husband, a boda boda rider, that his brothers' were up to no good.

"I warned my husband to be careful and to weigh the way he talked to his brothers but instead, he gave me Sh10 to buy tomatoes and asked me to give him the child so that he could hold him,” said Mrs Muchika.

She added: "When I came, back I found his brothers had tied him to a tree, covered his face with a rag and were mercilessly beating him. I immediately rushed to call my father in-law at Ikoli market. I am in  a lot pain, I didn’t know his life could end in such a manner," she said.

The suspects are currently in custody at Malava Police Station waiting to be taken to court. The deceased leaves behind two young children.