Woman held over death of husband and son

Police have launched probe into an incident where a father and his son were brutally killed in a family feud in Elgeyo Marakwet County.

The father is reported to have hacked to death his son using a machete in Embobut Location, Marakwet East constituency.

According to police, the killing, triggered a fight between the man and his wife, leading to the death of the former.

Marakwet East Sub-County Police Commander (SCPC) Vincent Kitili reported that Edwin Kipyatich, 48, allegedly smashed his son Alex Ruto, 21, using a panga on the wee hours of Saturday morning at their Kapkirwok home, killing him on the spot.

Mr Kitili said Ruto was cut on the head and bled to death in the 1am incident.

He said Ruto’s mother, upon discovering that her son had been brutally killed by her husband, turned irate and a fight between her and the husband ensued.

The police boss said Kipyatich’s wife Margaret grabbed the same machete her husband used to end the life of their son and descended on him, cutting him severally on the head and neck.

“His wife grabbed the same panga and injured him with it on the head and neck. He was taken to Kapsowar Mission Hospital where he succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment,” Mr Kitili told The Standard.

Kitili said police were still questioning Margaret, 44, who had surrendered to Maron Sub-location assistant chief Irene Kilimo after the fight.

The circumstances surrounding the cause of the fight between father and son remain unclear.

“The body was moved to Kapsowar Mission Hospital morgue and is awaiting autopsy. The case is under investigation by Marakwet East DCIO,” said Mr Kitili.