Crying out for justice after murder most foul

By Vitalis Kimutai

As hundreds of shocked residents thronged the Bomet homestead where a mother and her children were found murdered during Easter, they were hungering for a miracle as happened more than 2,000 years ago.

The Easter season, which commemorates pain and sufferance, bore special meaning to the man who lost his family, but also mirrored his hope in their resurrection in the hereafter, and justice.

Betty Rono and her two daughters Abigail Chepkirui and Anastasia Chelangat were buried in their ancestral land at Kipyosit village, Longisa division of Bomet District in a solemn rite attended by hundreds, including Roads Minister Franklin Bett.

Multiple cuts

The three were hacked to death by unknown assailants who broke into their home at Olenguruoene trading centre in Kuresoi district on the night of Sunday March 28.

An emotional Stephen Rono is consoled during the burial of his wife and two children at the weekend. Photo: Vitalis Kimutai/Standard

Betty Rono

Anastasia

The bodies were discovered the following morning by a farm hand, Wesley Rono, when he reported for work at the home.

Betty, a businesswoman who operated a chemist at the local trading centre, had multiple deep cuts while Abigail and Anastasia had been stabbed severally.

Ironically, the youngest member of the family, a three-year old baby Angelina Chebet, slept through the chilling orgy, only to be discovered, a few metres from her mother’s body.

During the burial, mourners wondered why the victims were subjected to such brutality.

The newly widowed Stephen Rono said during the ceremony: "I have forgiven the killers of my family. There are many questions than answers to this brutal attack but I have forgiven them."

Rono, a nurse working with the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Kapsabet, fought back tears as he tried to comfort baby Angelina and and Amos, who is a Form Three student at Tenwek High School.

Beyond comprehension

"If my family members or I have wronged anyone in anyway to warrant this kind of attack, I ask for forgiveness. The act was brutish and beyond my comprehension," Rono said in a brief speech.

The Anglican Church of Kenya cleric Martin Rirei captured the mood when he preached: Easter is about resurrection and the family should take refuge in this.

It is sad that at a time when people are celebrating Easter we are congregating here to bury our family members who were God fearing people." the cleric told the mourners.

Rono learnt of the attack through a phone call from a neighbour on Monday. He was unable to enter his home.

"Why did they have to kill my children? What sin did they commit? If they wanted money did they have to kill them for it?" he posed.

When he was finally supported into the homestead, he found neighbours in a prayer session.

But even the hardest of hearts melted two hours later after Langat arrived from school and joined him in mourning.

At the weekend, mourners stood gaping at the three graves separated by fresh mounds of red earth.

When the clergyman finally declared "ash to ash," the first casket to be lowered was Bettys’.

After this, her two children followed suit, in separate graves in a brief ceremony that lasted about one hour.

Ash to ash

An elder, Daniel Cheres, described the burial as unusual and explained that a special ritual would be performed to rid the evil spirits.

He announced a meeting would be held at the scene of the killing in Olenguruoene, where the cleansing ritual will be performed.

They bodies of mother and children were moved to the family’s ancestral home at Kipyosit village in Bomet District for overnight stay and subsequent burial on Saturday as per the tradition of the Kipsigis community.

While urging the family to seek refuge in resurrection, Rirei called for justice and consolation to wipe the bereaved father’s tears. At the graveside Roads, Minister Franklin Bett, Home Affairs Assistant Minister Beatrice Kones, and Kuresoi MP Zakayo Cheruiyot consoled the family.

Former President Daniel Moi, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Agriculture Minister William Ruto were among those who sent their condolences.

Innocent children

Other local leaders, among them Raphael Kitur and councillors Julius Korir, James Tuwei and Richard Tuwei also spoke.

Speakers during the burial wondered how the attack could occur only 500 metres from the police station yet no one responded to distress calls from the victims.

A relative, Kipsang Rop said, "Whoever did this had the spirit and heart of a wild animal. We cannot understand how one could hack to death a harmless mother and innocent children."

"Residents are demanding answers into the incident which has raised emotions. We want the law to take its course," Kitur said.

Some arrests have been made but no one has been prosecuted so far. People are hopeful that police will pursue the killers.