Focus shifts to police as murder cases increase

The late Benard Kipkirui Langat father Joseph Biegon (center) and other relatives are overcome by emotions.

The murder of a couple and their five-year-old child has once again left Kericho residents questioning the capabilities of security agencies.

More than 48 hours after the mutilated bodies of Bernard Kipkirui Langat, his wife Khadijah Cherotich and their child were found in their Melit home, three kilometres from Kericho town, no suspect has been arrested over the killing.

The situation mirrored other recent murders in the county, including that of former Cheborgei High School teacher Willy Sang and his wife Evelyn at their Chesingoro home in Bureti on July 21, last year.

“It is only until the other day that the police finally opened an inquest file into the murder (of Willy Sang and his wife). Whether the case will be finally resolved remains to be seen,” said Julius Mibei, the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers, Kericho branch executive.

No suspect has either been arrested over the Ainamoi murder, where Leonard Sang was killed on November 10, last year. His wife and their two children survived, but with deep machete wounds.

Most affected

In Bureti, police are yet to arrest the suspects behind the killing of a 75-year-old man in Litein last February 1. His three granddaughters were also gang-raped in the attack.

Only one suspect, Jack Ibrahim, was arrested and released on Sh1 million bond by Kericho Resident Magistrate Bernard Rugut.

In all the incidents, the gangs struck at night after gaining entry into their victims’ houses by cutting window grills.

The most affected areas are Bureti and Ainamoi. The Standard was, however, unable to establish whether the murders were perpetrated by the same gang.

Yesterday, the late Lang’at’s father Joseph Biegon hit out at police over the slow pace of investigations into the death of his first born son, daughter-in-law and grandchild.

“The brutal murder of my son, daughter-in-law and grandchild is something I can’t bear. I don’t know whether justice will be done, but if there is a Government in place, it must ensure that justice is served. That is all I want,” said Biegon.

He recalled that he last spoke to his son on Saturday.

“We talked about ploughing his farm in preparation for maize planting season. He did not express any sign that he was in any immediate danger,” he said.

Lang’at was a mechanical engineer at the Dadaab refugee camp while his wife, a trained teacher, was yet to get employment.

Their first born child, who was also murdered, was a lower primary school pupil at Green Highland Academy, Chepkolon.

The couple’s surviving child, who was orphaned aged three months, is now staying with nominated MCA Erick Bii.

Japheth, Lang’at’s younger brother, expressed slow pace of investigations.

Kericho East Deputy County Commissioner Darusi Muyesu blamed the silence among residents for increased crime rate.

“Residents don’t provide information to the police,” said Muyesu.