Police are investigating an incident in which a man and his son were killed after a family argument.
Marakwet East police commander Vincent Kitili yesterday said Edwin Kipyatich, 48, was reported to have hacked his son to death in Embobut location.
Mr Kitili said Alex Ruto, 21, was struck on the head with a panga at their Kapkirwok home and left to bleed to death.
When Ruto’s mother Margaret Kipyatich found out that her son had been killed at around 1am on Saturday, she is reported to have confronted her husband and a fight ensured.
“The woman grabbed the same panga and cut her husband on the head and neck, causing him severe injuries. He was taken to Kapsowar Mission Hospital where he succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment,” Kitili told The Standard.
The police officer said they were questioning Margaret, who surrendered to Maron sub-location assistant chief Irene Kilimo after the fight.
Kitili said the circumstances surrounding the cause of the fight between Kipyatich and Rono remained unclear, but added that detectives would get to the bottom of the matter.
“The body was taken to Kapsowar Mission Hospital mortuary, and is awaiting a postmortem examination. The case is under investigation by the Marakwet East DCIO,” said Kitili.
Ms Kilimo said residents went to the Kipyatichs’ home after they were woken up by screams. They found Ruto lying dead in a pool of blood while his father was bleeding heavily and in a lot of pain.
“It was not immediately clear what caused the fight. The family has been living peacefully. The matter was reported to the police, who have visited the scene and launched investigations,” said Kilimo.
The administrator said Kipyatich received first aid at a nearby dispensary before he was referred to Kapsowar Mission Hospital, about 60km away.
