Mob torches houses to avenge killing

By Renson Buluma

Property of unknown value was destroyed yesterday when irate villagers set ablaze six grass-thatched houses in a revenge mission following the brutal murder of a middle-aged woman at Nasira village, Busia County.

Armed with rungus and machetes, the villagers also killed several animals and ruthlessly beat up an old man, who together with his son, is  suspected to have killed the woman.

According to the area Ward Representative George Busera, it took the intervention of the local administration police from the nearby chief’s camp to calm the locals who were determined to avenge the death of the woman. “Were it not for the quick response of the police and area chief, more bloodshed would have occurred since the villagers were acting uncontrollably,” said Busera.

When The Standard visited the scene, the burnt houses were still smouldering as villagers continued to look for the old man’s son who escaped into a nearby plantation.

The old man and his son, were allegedly found dragging the body of the woman into the sugar plantation where they were planning to hide it.

The head of the deceased suffered deep cuts which the deceased’s son, who allegedly witnessed the killing, said  were caused by a hammer.

She is said to have met her death when she visited the old man’s homestead to demand her son’s radio.

“My mother arrived from church and told me that she was going to bring my radio because Collins had refused to pay for it. I decided to follow her after she took longer than expected and that is when I saw Collins and his dad dragging the body of my mother,” said an emotional Eric Barasa. The 12 year old boy added: “He had a hammer which I believe was used to break my mother’s skull.”