Nyando police looking for man who hacked father to death over food

Elizabeth Ade, wife of the late Naftali Ade, who was a veterinary doctor employed by the County Government of Kisumu. His body was found at his home in Boya Kisumu County on 20th November 2016. (PHOTO: COLLINS ODUOR/ STANDARD)

Police in Nyando are in pursuit of a man who allegedly killed his father, a veterinary doctor, after a domestic squabble before fleeing the home.

Jimbo Ade, 30, allegedly attacked his father, Naftal Otieno Ade, 58, at Kisumu County Government Agriculture on November 17, leaving him with serious panga cuts after they differed over food.

This is the second incident in six months where a doctor has been killed by his son over domestics squabbles. In May this year, a renown  medic, Dr  Michael Amolo the then Medical director at Aga Khan hospital in Kisumu, died at Mater Hospital in Nairobi after he was stabbed 18 times by his son with whom he had differed  after  the teenager failed to sit  for his Aviation college examinations.

In the Nyando incident, the son is said  to have brutally attacked  his father at their home in Boya, leaving him for dead.

According to police reports, the deceased returned home from work at 7pm on the fateful day, and picked a quarrel with his son.

"We were informed that the suspect was in the house together with other siblings and the father who looked drunk rejected the meal of rice which was offered, and the two got into altercation which degenerated into a fight," said Nyando DCIO Robinson Cherenje.

The officer said the suspect quickly reached for a machete, attaking his father severally before escaping the scene.

Mr Otieno, who was described by his employer as a hardworking man, was then taken to Ahero County Hospital the following morning where he was treated and discharged.

His condition however worsened and he was returned to Ahero County Hospital where he succumbed to the injuries.

Police however suspect that the deceased family was trying to cover up the incident, after it was discovered that the incident was not reported to any police station, and the family was planning for a burial without conducting a post mortem.

Mr Cherenje yesterday said the deceased's family did not report the incident with the police, giving room for the suspect to escape.

"We just had to visit the home today and forcefully take statements. This is a serious issue which cannot be treated as a mere domestic misunderstanding as there is a life which has been lost," he said.

The deceased's widow, Elizabeth Akinyi Ade, however declined to discuss his death with the Standard team.

Residents however suspect that the deceased family may have aided the escape of the suspect to keep the matter out of the public.

"Some of us learnt of the incident three days after the fight, when the reports of the death were made, but I think the family is hiding something," said a neighbour who sought anonymity.

Standard Group reporters who visited the scene of the incident were also turned away by close family members, including the deceased's wife Elizabeth Akinyi who declined to comment on the matter.

"I was not around when the incident happened and I cannot say anything. You can get to the deceased's brothers to get you to the family spokesman," said Akinyi, who is also an employee of Kisumu County government.

Mr Cherenje yesterday said he had directed the hospital not to release the body for burial until a post mortem is done to enable the police get enough evidence to press charges against the suspect.

"We are currently looking for the suspect, and we hope we will catch up with him very soon. The family members have denied knowledge of where he could be hiding, but we are piecing our facts together to ensure that justice is accorded," he said.

Kisumu County Agriculture Chief Officer Ben Angir said they received the death reports with shock, given that the Livestock Health Officer had been at work before the attack.

"All we know is that Naftal is a hardworking man who started working as a junior officer and rose through the ranks to be where he was before he died," said Angir.