Man kills friend in Elgeyo Marakwet for calling him 'young boy'

A 22-year-old man was stabbed to death in Keiyo South, Elgeyo Marakwet County following a joke that turned tragic.

Allan Kiplagat, a local mason in Kapkong'a trading centre was stabbed on Monday night by the suspect identified as Leonard Samoei, 26 after he allegedly referred to the latter as a 'young boy.'

Authorities said the deceased, using derogatory term ng'eeta (young boy) in the local Keiyo dialect to describe the man as they greeted, sparked fury and subsequent attack.

The term is used to refer to a boy who is yet to undergo initiation to manhood.

But the suspect became angry and stabbed the deceased using a dagger.

Kapkwoni Location Chief Philip Ruto said the deceased was stabbed on the stomach and died while being rushed to a nearby health facility.

According to the chief, trouble started when Samoei demanded to know why the deceased, his junior in age, was referring to him as young.

Despite apologies from the deceased, he followed him as he walked away from the argument and stabbed him in the stomach.

"The deceased downplayed the issue and they walked away with a friend. The suspect followed them and after a few minutes he removed a dagger and stabbed him," the Chief said.

He said efforts by the deceased's friend to rescue him were futile.

Ruto said police are still pursuing the suspect who fled after allegedly committing the offence.