Family seeks justice for kin’s death as police officers arrest suspect

By Osinde Obare

A farmer in Trans-Nzoia East District has been arrested over the killing of Peter Kirwa.

The suspect had offered a cow to compensate for the murder, but the deceased’s family rejected the offer.

The turn of events was after the Wednesday edition of The Standard highlighted the struggle by Kirwa’s family for justice in a stry titled "A cow for son you killed? No way, family says".

Kachibora OCS Samson Singerai said they were holding the farmer in connection with the killing.

"It is true we have arrested him and are preparing a charge sheet before he is arraigned in court," said Mr Singerai.

Emissaries rejected

The suspect and his two sons allegedly accosted and attacked Kirwa near a cattle dip in Mateget village on suspicion that he was planning to steal maize from their farm.

Kirwa’s father William Murei, who has since recorded a statement, said his son was walking to a slaughterhouse at Sibanga market where he works when he was attacked.

Kirwa, unconscious after the attack, was driven home in a taxi hired by his attackers, but he died.

The farmer then summoned and dispatched elders with the cow to Kirwa’s home seeking forgiveness from the family.

But the family rejected the offer insisting their son was not a thief and had been killed.

‘Our son has never been a thief and we don’t want a cow but justice," Mr Murei told the suspect’s emissaries.

Kitale Catholic Church Justice and Peace Commission officials led by Mr Leonard Barasa hailed The Standard for exposing the family’s plight, a move that prompted the police action.