Family forced to flee from home after threats by relative's killers

Resident of Martarmat in Kipkelion West constituency protest in Kipkelion town over the murder of 50- year-old Stephen Murei. They took to the streets to protest the failure by the Kipkelion Police to pursue the four suspects who was allegedly abducted and tortured the deceased to death. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

A family has been forced to flee from their home in Kipkelion West Constituency after people who killed their relatives allegedly threatened them.

Unknown people are said to have kidnapped Stephen Murei, 50, from his Martarmat village home and tortured him to death for allegedly having an affair with their mother.

Yesterday, the family, which has fled to Tebesonik in Bomet County, claimed that the same people had been sending them death threats.

"They tortured my brother to death two weeks ago and have now turned on us. We had to flee," said the deceased's sister, Eunice Korir.

She said they have reported the matter to the police but have received no help. "Our quest for justice has not been successful because the police are frustrating us," she added.

The deceased's daughter, Mercy Chepkemoi, said: "We are at a loss. We don't know what to do after our father's death. We can't begin to figure out how life will be without him.

"I am no longer even certain that my younger siblings will get the kind of education he envisioned," she said.

Henry Chelule, a resident, said they had lost faith in local police officers and asked Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet to intervene.

County Commissioner Muktar Abdi said he was aware of the case and would ensure that the suspects were brought to book.