Irate residents staged a demonstration at the Kaptebee in Turbo, Uasin Gishu County sub-county assistant commissioner's office. They were demanding the head of a woman allegedly beheaded by her lover a week ago.
The residents claimed the police had done little to help them recover the head of the slain woman, which had led to the postponement of burial plans.
They said the family of the slain woman Sheila Kirwa, 33, could not bury their loved one without her head.
"We want the police to bring us the missing head so that the family and the community can give their loved one a befitting send-off," said Thomas Boen, a resident.
The husband of the deceased, John Kirwa, asked the police to hasten their investigations for the family to bury and move on with their lives.
Kirwa was married to the deceased 15 years ago and had three children.
"We have had a troubled relationship, but this news has been traumatizing to me and our children. The suspected killer is our neighbour, and we have not been on good terms since I learned of his relationship with my wife," said Kirwa.
Kirwa added that he knew of his wife's affair but kept their marriage for the sake of his children.
"I do not know what could have transpired leading to my wife's murder. I have lately learned that the accused, who had confronted me occasionally, had also threatened to take my wife's life," said Kirwa.
The deceased's body was discovered meters from her home in a nearby bush.
The body bore stab wounds, and her head was missing. A blood-stained boda boda believed to have been used to ferry the body was found next to the scene.
"The family and the community at large have been hurting and restless since we got the news. We are now living in fear because this is the third murder incident we have received. All the cases have been reported to the police, but we feel that the police are doing little to help us find justice," said Martha Jeptoo.
Charles Cheseto, the Assistant County Commissioner for Turbo Sub-county, assured locals that justice would be done and the missing head would be recovered for burial rites.
He said the suspect identified as Eliud Kipchoge, had been arrested and was in police cells, where the police are holding him for 20 days pending completion of investigations before he can be charged in court for plea taking.
"The suspect had taken the investigating police officers to a scene where he claimed he had left the head, but efforts to retrieve the head have been futile.
We are going on with investigations, and we promise the residents that we will continue with investigations until the missing head is found," said Cheseto.
He added that the Murder weapon, a knife, and blood-stained clothes were recovered and have been taken to the government laboratory for forensic analysis.
