Lynched Nyamira man drank children’s blood, kin say

Nyamira South OCPD Rico Ngare displays a kitchen knife, which a man used to kill his two children at Nyairicha village in Nyamira County. The man was later killed by angry villagers. [PHOTO: STANLEY ONGWAE/STANDARD]

KENYA: The man who slaughtered his two children also drank their blood, it has since emerged. Bugesi Okero, who was later killed by a mob, has shocked his family and fellow villagers in Nyamira County.

A cup which he used to drink the blood, a spoon and salt shaker stained with the blood and a kitchen knife were discovered in the house which the deceased father lived with his children.

On Thursday, when the incident happened, police only discovered the knife. Okero’s wife had since deserted the home following what the police, neighbours and close relatives said were constant family feuds that often resulted into fist fights.

STRANGE TEACHINGS

Since the tragedy, there has emerged various theories explaining the bizarre happening - all of which point to involvement in a cult.

Yesterday, his father in-law, Alfred Mwencha, said the 25-year-old man who was lynched on Thursday, had indicated he was introduced to a church offering strange teachings to followers.

“He said a close family member introduced him to the church; but he only went there twice before moving out in protest,” Mr Mwencha said, adding that in the six years his daughter (estranged wife to the killer) was married to Okero, she never knew peace of mind.

He adds: “One day she came to us before sunrise claiming her husband wanted to kill her in the dark of the night. However, we dismissed her and urged her to be tolerant.”

An aunt to the killer also said her nephew was disturbed by what he claimed to be black magic in his home.

According to Peris Tai, Okero had told her that he was having trouble with a rat his wife was taming.

“He would tell us how he was being haunted by the strange animal, which he says he provided for more than the children he killed,” she said.

It is interesting that both sides of the family concur that the father of two had hinted that he was planning to kill himself.

“When our daughter opted out of the tormented marriage, we asked him to give us the children so that we could take care of them owing to the challenges he would have as a father and breadwinner. But he declined and cautioned he was preparing three graves and it was needless to add another one,” Mwencha said.

Up to yesterday, the deceased man’s wife had not surfaced as her parents said they too were not aware of her whereabouts.

“She talked to us three weeks ago but did not want us to know where she was or what she was doing. She uses borrowed mobile phones and it has become difficult for us to trace her,” her father said.