Middle-aged man kills son he accused of miraa theft

A Miraa farm in Igembe Central, Meru county, Nov, 18, 2015. PHOTO MOSE SAMMY/STANDARD

A middle-aged man was on Friday killed by his step-father after he was found stealing miraa in Nkomo, Igembe Central Sub County. 

The man then fled after the killing.  Villagers raided his compound and burned down his house. The body of the deceased was taken to the Nyambene mortuary.

Witnesses dismissed claims that the deceased was found stealing miraa, instead claiming the killer and the deceased had a long-running dispute over a farm. 

“He killed him not because of the miraa. It is because they have a land dispute,” said a resident. The act was condemned by locals.

 “According to the law, a suspected thief is supposed to be taken to the police to be prosecuted. It is illegal to kill someone before giving him a chance to defend himself in court,” said a neighbour.