Man stabs cousin after argument, brother injured

A brother of the deceased who tried to separate them also sustained serious injuries. [iStockphoto]

A man has gone into hiding after killing his cousin while another was beaten to death for allegedly selling his neighbour's wheelbarrow.

Authorities have launched a manhunt for the man who stabbed his cousin, identified as David Atieno, to death in at Masogo Village, Kanyach Kachar in Homa Bay County after a disagreement.

A brother of the deceased who tried to separate them also sustained serious injuries.

Medics at the Marindi Sub-county Hospital referred Atieno to Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital where he later died.

Area assistant chief Geoffrey Ndong' said Atieno engaged in banter with the cousin before they began fighting.

"There is no serious reason which led to fighting between the two. They were in a conversation in which they were talking about some matters on a light note but one of them got annoyed," Ndong' said.

During the altercation, Atieno's brother Jack Atieno who tried to separate them was also stabbed. He is undergoing treatment at a local hospital.

Went into hiding

The suspect went into hiding after the incident.

Ndong' said they had liaised with police who are undertaking investigations into the matter to ensure the suspect is brought to book.

The assistant chief urged residents to avoid taking the law into their hands.

"Let residents report to government authorities when aggrieved," he added.

In Imbaya village in Ugunja, Siaya County, Gabriel Wakele, is said to have borrowed the wheelbarrow but sold it.

According to Wakele's younger brother Stephen Ogutu, their neighbour and his sons descended on Wakele with beatings leading to his death.

Sub-county police commander Emmanuel Rono said they are looking for the suspects who went to hiding.

"The suspects are still at large and we are requesting members of the public who might have seen them or know their whereabouts," said Rono.