A tragic land dispute in Cherengany, Trans Nzoia County, ended in bloodshed after a man fatally stabbed another before surrendering himself to the police. The suspect walked into Milimani Police Post on Saturday, February 1, carrying a bloodstained kitchen knife and confessed to the crime.
According to authorities, the suspect and the victim, Philip Ekitale, had a long-standing disagreement over land access rights. The conflict reached a boiling point when Ekitale reportedly used a footpath on land owned by the suspect’s family. This seemingly minor action sparked a heated argument that escalated into violence, leading to Ekitale’s tragic death.
Police officers at Milimani Police Post immediately disarmed and placed the suspect in custody. A team was dispatched to Lokoriama village, the scene of the incident, where they found Ekitale’s lifeless body lying in a pool of blood. The victim had sustained a deep stab wound to the chest, which proved fatal. Authorities recovered the murder weapon as evidence and moved the body to Kitale County Referral Hospital Mortuary for postmortem examination.
The police have launched an investigation to establish further details surrounding the dispute. They are urging community members to seek peaceful resolutions for land conflicts, which remain a common cause of violent incidents in rural Kenya.
Love Triangle Turns Violent in Bungoma South
In another violent altercation on the same night, three people were hospitalized in Bungoma South following a dramatic love triangle confrontation. Police reports indicate that a bodaboda rider returned home to find an unknown man inside his house. The discovery led to a heated altercation, with the rider attacking the intruder using a panga, inflicting severe head and hand injuries.
The confrontation escalated as the rider also turned on his wife, injuring her in the process. In an attempt to defend himself, the intruder retaliated, leaving the rider with deep cuts as well.
All three individuals were rushed to a nearby hospital and admitted in serious condition. Authorities are closely monitoring their recovery before conducting further interrogations to determine the full circumstances of the incident.
Police have noted a rise in violent domestic disputes and land-related altercations in rural areas, urging residents to use legal avenues to resolve conflicts. Many such cases have ended in court, while others are resolved through mediation. Law enforcement agencies continue to call for dialogue and peaceful dispute resolution to prevent the loss of lives.
