Spate of killings in Western region cause for concern

Recently, residents of Bisunu village, Kakamega County, were shocked when a mother poisoned her two children aged three and five. The woman is said to have killed the children after quarrelling with her husband whom she accused of having an affair.

In another incident, a man was arrested in October last year for allegedly killing the mother of a six-year-old boy. Interestingly in 2000, Seth Shamala, the suspect, was arrested over the death of his brother but released in 2004 for lack of evidence.

Villagers outside George Otieno's home in Musikoma Bakery village, Kanduyi Constituency on January 27, 2016. Otieno was hacked to death by armed men over theft claims made by his sons. (PHOTO: TITUS OTEBA/ STANDARD)

His father Richard Shamala says Seth is a threat to the family. “He killed his brother over a land issue, raped his own mother. I am paralysed because of the beatings I received from him daily. He is arrogant and he smokes bhang,” Mr Shamala said.

He added: “It is painful as a parent for my child to do such a thing. I bought him (Seth) separate land in Ileho when he was freed as culture demands so that we could cut links with him but he sold it and returned by force. I have left him to the police.”

In yet another incident, a 68-year-old man was stabbed several times in the stomach by his step-son in Vilaha village, Lugari sub-county. The old man had tried to intervene in a dispute involving his wife (Knight Nang’ondo) and her son.

Alice Munialo, the sister-in-law to the deceased’s wife said the assailant, Simon Mona, was angry with his mother because she had allowed his step-father Dismus Wafula (the deceased) to live in their home.

And as Kenyans celebrated Christmas last year, a family from Butula constituency in Busia County was mourning the death of Scholastica Makokha. She was murdered by her husband Vincent Makokha for answering a phone call from a man.

Fredrick Otieno, a neighbour, said the man started to fight with the woman when she answered her phone.

During the same period, in Mwiyala village in Kakamega County, another family was in mourning after a man hacked his wife with a  panga allegedly because his had refused to serve him meat.

“The suspect came home smelling of alcohol and started beating up my sister for refusing to give him meat which she had prepared for the family,” said Caroline Mbaisi.

The list of murders in Western Kenya is mind-boggling. Even more puzzling is the fact that killings involving family members in Western have been rising steadily in the recent past. Over ten such cases were reported in the region last December alone, raising questions on what exactly is triggering the gruesome killings.

Western Regional Police Commander Moses Ombati says cases of murders and suicides are increasingly being reported to the police.

“In a month we receive at least ten cases of murder. Most of them are as a result of illicit affairs especially cases where husbands work away from home and vice versa,” Mr Ombati said.

He said there have been even bizarre cases where men have killed their wives after they (the wives) report that they been raped.

Criminal offence

“These are unique cases that involve individuals and police can’t do much. It must start with the community. Barazas (public meetings) should be organised to educate people on how to handle family issues just like in the old days when such cases were rare,” Ombati said.

And he warned: “Murder is a criminal offence and nobody is allowed to take the life of another person in whatever circumstance. The suspects are liable to life imprisonment or hanging and we expect other people to learn from that in order to curb such cases.”

Masinde Muliro University of Technology Education Psychologist Kenneth Otieno says poor communication in the family, lack of trust, infidelity, wife battery and money-related stress are the major reasons behind the upsurge of family murders.

“Infidelity can cause psychological trauma especially in men since they tend to keep to themselves. This can trigger violent behaviour, including murder and spouses can hit out against their loved ones in an act of revenge,” Dr Otieno said.

He added: “Some of the murders are unintentional as most people act out of anger. This happens in cases where there is a threat of separation. Financial difficulties can weigh anyone down, and if one has been going through a very difficult financial period, it can push some to despair, to the point of becoming suicidal.”

To curb such cases, Otieno recommended counselling and training of couples on how to manage anger. He also advised family members to talk about their wealth.

“Imparting of morals should begin from childhood up to maturity. There should also be education on human rights. When things go awry, families should seek spiritual guidance and not keep issues to themselves. Also, courtship should be taken seriously to allow couples to understand each other,” Otieno advised.

He also argued the case for restorative justice where offenders, once released from jail, are made to apologise before being allowed back into the community.

Maseno North Diocese Bishop Simeon Oketch said families in the region are floundering.

“Children are growing and borrowing some cultures that are not good. Parents should instill good morals in their children,” he said.

Further, Bishop Oketch said witnesses should be protected to ensure that suspects are convicted in court. “When a murderer is arrested, the witnesses should testify in camera as most fear giving testimony in court, thus destroying evidence,” he said.