Three children shot dead, three others injured in family feud in Marakwet

Three children have been shot dead in a suspected family dispute in Marakwet East.

Three other people including a child and a secondary school student were injured during the midnight attack in Kapker Village, Embolot location.

Residents said the suspect stormed the house of his parents-in-law in search for his estranged wife, but failed to find her and that is when he sprayed bullets on six children, and an adult who were sleeping in one room, killing the three children on the spot.

Area Chief Bethuel Kipkore said the suspect identified as David Yano arrived at the in-laws’ home at midnight on Monday and demanded to see his wife Nancy Jebet

Mr Kipkore said a furious Yano opened fire on the children and fled into darkness.

According to Mr Kipkore, the suspect walked about 15 kilometres from Tot in the Kerio Valley to the in-laws' home in pursuit of the estranged wife.

The couple separated in March this year after a domestic feud.

Mr Kipkore said one of the slain minors aged four, is Jebet’s daughter but who she had sired with another man before marrying the suspect. The other two children aged seven and ten are Jebet’s younger sister and brother.

He said the two were pupils at Mgeno and Kapchebau Primary Schools respectively.

“One of the injured is a pre-primary school learner at Kapchebau Primary School while another one is a form one student at Tot Mixed Day School. They have been rushed to Kapsowar Mission Hospital,” Mr Kipkore told The Standard.

He said the police have launched manhunt for the suspect.