Man kills wife, self after brief reunion

A man who reunited with his wife after 10 years of separation killed her in Shirika village, Uasin Gishu County.

Joseph Bwambok stabbed Jane Jerobon with a kitchen knife after persistent wrangles barely four months after their reunion in January.

Previously, the couple sought the help of Nyumba Kumi members to resolve their domestic wrangles.

Arusei Christine, a neighbour, said Bwambok had a problem with the wife's heavy drinking.

"Bwambok was a teetotaler while his wife was a heavy drinker. This led to their constant fights. He had warned the wife against taking illicit brew," said Arusei.

She disclosed that the couple often engaged in heated exchanges.

"Bwambok had confided in me that should his wife continue taking illicit brew, he would kill her and take his life. It is sad that it has come to pass," she stated.

Alex Kirwa, a brother to Bwambok, disclosed that he had on several occasions intervened to resolve the couple's differences, but these persisted because of Jerobon's heavy drinking.

"My brother had separated from his wife for over 10 years and they recently reunited. The wife, however, was deep into alcoholism," he said.

He had vomited

Mr Kirwa said he was heading to work when he was informed about his brother's death.

"I headed back home and when I went to the kitchen I saw the lifeless body of my sister-in-law. On calling the person who informed me, he directed me to where we found Bwambok dead, about a kilometre away from his house. We suspect he took poison as he had vomited," he said.

William Rono, a neighbour, expressed shock at the couple's death. "This we suspect is murder and suicide since they had engaged in a heated argument the evening before their bodies were recovered," Mr Rono said.

Uasin Gishu County Commander Johnstone Ipaara said police visited the scene and investigation has been launched.