Man kills woman, stabs self over Sh1,000 pay

Zeddy Chirchir after her daughter Naomi Chebet was hacked to death by a man over an alleged Sh1,000 row at Bandiat village in Kuresoi South on November 28, 2020. [Kipsang Joseph,Standard]

A man who stabbed himself in the neck after killing a 30-year-old woman over Sh1,000 is fighting for his life.

The suspect is admitted to Olenguruone Sub-County Hospital where he was rushed to after committing the crime at Bandiat Village in Kuresoi South, Nakuru County.

The suspect and his victim Mercy Chebet are said to have been given a two-day job at a nearby farm and were to be paid Sh1,400.

“I hired them on Friday and they were to complete the work on Saturday. On Friday evening, I sent Sh1,000 to Chebet, promising to clear the balance once the job was done,” Caroline Ngetich, the farm owner, said.

Chebet’s mother Zeddy Chirchir said the two were close friends and were in good terms even after receiving the money.

“The suspect called my daughter and asked her to send him only Sh200 from what she had received. On Saturday morning, the man left his house and my daughter followed him minutes later,” she said.

Moments later, Chebet’s young daughter saw the two arguing outside the home and alerted her grandmother.

“My granddaughter came running, saying her mother had fallen down. I rushed to the scene as her attacker fled into a nearby maize field,” she said.

On arrival, Chirchir was shocked to find that the suspect had hit Naomi with a jembe on the back of her head, opening her skull.

“My daughter was breathing her last. Her head was badly wounded and within minutes she had lost too much blood. Neighbours responded to my cries and pursued the suspect,” Zeddy said.

On realising that angry residents were catching up with him, the suspect decided to take his life.

“He drew a knife and stabbed himself on the neck,” said Ribot Assistant Chief Fredrick Korir.

Although it was not immediately confirmed what led to the tragic fight, Korir said the suspect was battling alcoholism and appeared to be mentally disturbed.

“The suspect is receiving treatment at Olenguruone Hospital and is in critical condition,” Korir said.