Two men arrested over murder of elder brother in Uasin Gishu over money

Mzee Ngetich Asis, the father of the late Darius Kiplimo speaking at his home in Chelelaibei Village in Soy Constituency, Uasin Gishu County. Kiplimo was allegedly killed by his brothers on Tuesday. [Christopher Kipsang, Standard]

A family in Chelelaibei Village, Uasin Gishu County, is struggling to come to terms with the death of a 42-year-old man who was allegedly murdered by his brothers on Tuesday night.

Darius Kiplimo was stabbed on the stomach, back and thighs after chaos ensued between him and his two brothers, Jacob Kipkosgei, 27, and Daniel Kipchirchir,44, over 'money and goodies'. 

The two are said to have confronted the deceased claiming that their father had entrusted him with the money their father received from some visitors who came to their home. Chaos then ensued leading to the sorrowful incident.

Asis Ng'etich, the father to the three sons said that Kipkosgei, his last born son had earlier confronted him asking for a share of the money he claimed he had received, and questioned why he had not informed him about the visit.

"He came to my room demanding for some money that the guests- my sister and her husband- had brought. I told him that they only came to check on me since I have been ailing for a while, but he left the house unsatisfied saying that I should have let him know that some visitors were coming," said the father of 11.

Kiptoo Tarus, a cousin to the three brothers who witnessed the incident, said that he heard the commotion at his uncle’s house.

On getting to the scene, he found the brothers fighting but could not calm them as they overwhelmed him.

“I got to the house and tried to separate the brothers from fighting, then Kipchirchir took a wood and hit Kiplimo on his head twice before he fell down and Kipkosgei who had a knife stabbed him on his stomach tearing it,” said Tarus.

Kiplimo also sustained stabs at his back and thighs and succumbed to the injuries minutes after the incident.

Tarus said that they tried reaching out to a neighbour to help them with a car to ferry Kiplimo to hospital, but he died on the way to hospital.

On seeing their brother in a pool of blood, the duo tried to escape but were nabbed by a crowd that had gathered and were handed over to the police.

David Ng’etich, an uncle to the brothers, said that the family was still in shock, saying that his nephews were drunkards and were even drunk before engaging in the fight.

“This has happened because of alcoholism. The three brothers have been taking alcohol and were even drunk on that night they fought. It is sad to lose a family member through such an incident where his siblings are responsible for the murder,” said Ng’etich.

Wilson Serem, a village elder, said that the family has had a history of disputes stating that the community had on many occasions advised them to convene a sitting to solve their difference.

He argued that the sons would sometimes beat their ailing father or destroy his house.

“We are sad this has happened but families should learn to sit down and solve issues affecting them. This family has always had battles among themselves for the longest time. We hope such does not happen again in the future,” said Serem.

Uasin Gishu Police Commander Ayub Gitonga said that the brothers had fought over their sister’s dowry share, a statement the family denied.

Gitonga said that the investigating officers recovered a machete and a knife at the scene of the crime and will avail the suspects to court once investigations are done.

The suspects are being held at Soy Police Station while the body of the deceased was taken to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Mortuary.

“This a case of family disputes that should have been solved through good communication, but the family is now in agony of losing their children,” said Gitonga.