Man accused of killing father over Sh8,000 government stipend

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A 37-year-old man reportedly killed his father at Kolongei village in Chepalungu constituency, Bomet County, after the senior citizen refused to share with him the Sh8, 000 stipend he had received from the government.

Local police and neighbours claimed the assailant attacked the 78-year-old with a machete in the Monday evening incident at their home.

Chepalungu police commander Phanton Analo said they are already investigating the incident even as the victim's body was moved to Longisa Hospital mortuary.

A neighbour who did not wish to be named said they heard a call for help from the house and when they arrived, the door had been locked from inside.

By the time they broke in, the victim had already died.

Area assistant chief Rober Korir said pleas by the elderly man to his son that he hand spend the money fell on deaf ears as his attacker descended on him with the panga, slashing him on the head. He died on the spot.

"The suspect locked up his father and attacked him mercilessly over the funds he had received through the Inua Jamii Cash Transfer programme," Mr Korir said, according to their preliminary investigations.

The administrator said neighbours later cornered the suspect as he attempted to flee and handed him over to the police.

"He was found with the murder weapon in his hand. His clothes were stained with blood. They took him to Makimeny police post where he is locked up," he said.

Korir said at the time of his arrest, the suspect appeared intoxicated.

"When police searched his pockets, they found rolls of bhang and cigarettes. That was a clear sign he was abusing drugs which may have been a factor," said Korir.

Neighbours said the earnings from the cash transfer programme had become a source of conflict between the two.

"In December last year, when the government released the money, the deceased narrowly escaped death after the suspect attacked him with a machete leaving him with injuries," said another neighbour, who did not want to be named.

He said the suspect has been attacking his father every time Inua Jamii funds are paid out.

"It is sad that while the money was meant to help him, it turned out to be the cause of his death," said the neighbour.

Meanwhile, a middle-aged man is being held by police in Chepalungu after he allegedly killed his friend on suspicion of stealing his phone.

Analo said the two were at the suspect's house in Bondeni village in Sugumerga when the phone reportedly disappeared.

He said the suspect accused his victim of hiding the phone with the intention of stealing it.

The police commander said after an argument, the suspect dashed out of the house and returned with a machete with which he attacked the victim.

The officer said family members who head wails from the suspect's room rushed in and found the deceased writhing in pain, and bleeding profusely. They took him to Longisa Hospital where he died while receiving treatment.

The family members later handed over the suspect to police and recorded a statement.

Analo said the suspect would be arraigned as soon as they are done with their investigations.