Mob lynches man who killed his brother

A man who killed his younger brother in a fit of rage in Rachuonyo South sub-county was lynched by the public.

Police said William Omiti, 40, was lynched by the mob in Oyugis town as he fled after killing his brother, Japheth Ochieng’, 37, on Saturday evening.

Witnesses said trouble started on Friday night when Mr Omiti returned to his Oyengwe village home while drunk.

His wife, having not been home as she had fled months ago after disagreement, said he attacked his first-born daughter with the intention of killing her using a knife and panga.

However, Mr Ochieng’, who is his second follower in the family intervened to save the life of the four-year-old girl.

It is then that Omiti channelled his anger on his brother. Their cousin, Milton Okoth, said Omiti pounced on the brother with a panga and blunt objects, leaving him with serious injuries.

“Japheth was not armed when his brother attacked him,” said Mr Okoth.

Ochieng’ was taken to Rachuonyo Sub-County Hospital where he died yesterday while undergoing treatment.

Upon being pronounced dead, a mob from Oyugis town went for Omiti and stoned him to death.

The family’s last-born, Duncan Onyango, said Omiti had been a nuisance to the family.

FAMILY THREAT

“He had threatened to kill us, and I had to flee our home and rent a house in Oyugis town. He was ever violent and that is why he killed a person who was saving the life of his daughter,” said Mr Onyango.

He said Omiti had served a jail sentence of two years after he threatened to murder his mother, Nereah Omiti.

“This is somebody who had even planned to kill his mother. He used to disturb the whole family,” he added.

County Police Commander John Omusanga warned residents against taking the law into their hands.

“We usually tell our people to avoid taking the law into their own hands. I am sending a strong warning and we are going to ensure those who participated in the mob justice are arrested and arraigned in court,” said Mr Omusanga.

He said they had begun investigating the matter. The bodies were moved to Rachuonyo Sub-County Hospital mortuary.