Fear Grips Kitale After Revenge Attack Kills Two, Leaves Five Houses Torched

Two people have been killed and five houses torched in a revenge attack in Chalicha village, Kiminini, Trans Nzoia County.

The incident occurred on Saturday, October 10, following a dispute linked to allegations of rape involving a woman and her daughter.

Angry residents reportedly stormed the homestead of a suspect allegedly linked to the killing of the two victims and set five houses on fire.

Police are investigating the incident to establish the circumstances surrounding the killings and the arson attack.

Residents claim the incident is linked to an alleged sexual assault that occurred in September, when unidentified men reportedly attacked a woman and her child.

According to one resident, the attackers also stole the woman’s blankets and clothes. The woman’s son, who was in Nairobi at the time, reportedly returned home after learning what had happened.

“This woman was sexually assaulted in September by unidentified young men who raped her and her child. They also stole her blankets and even her clothes. Her son was in Nairobi at the time, but when he heard what had happened, he was deeply hurt and came back,” the resident explained.

However, investigators have yet to verify the allegations linking the reported sexual assault to the subsequent violence.

The remains of the torched houses were visible after residents allegedly descended on the homestead of a suspect linked to the killing of the two people.

Two Killed Following Dispute at Drinking Den in Kitale

Neighbours claim one of the deceased was attacked at a local drinking den, where his assailant allegedly struck him on the head with a blunt object.

His brother-in-law reportedly tried to rescue him but was also killed, triggering chaos that left five houses torched.

Another resident recounted how alcohol allegedly contributed to the confrontation that preceded the violence.

“Yesterday, he was in Uganda drinking alcohol, and he got into a fight with someone. It turned out that the person was a brother of the other man involved. He kept denying it, saying, ‘It wasn’t me; it was my brother.’ However, the other man would not accept his explanation. Eventually, he broke a stick, hit him with it, and killed him,” the resident said.

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Residents Blame Alcohol and Bhang for Insecurity

Residents have raised concerns about the consumption of illicit alcohol and bhang in the area, blaming substance abuse for contributing to violence and insecurity among young people.

One resident said alcohol played a role in the confrontation that led to the killings.

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“Bhang is very common in this area, especially alcohol. Alcohol was one of the contributing factors because the young men who were fighting down there were drunk. You see, it is this drinking culture that led to incidents like this happening,” the resident said.

Residents called on the government to intervene, restore calm, and prevent similar incidents from happening again.

They also urged security agencies to conduct thorough investigations, arrest those responsible for the killings and arson, and ensure that justice is served.

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Photo of a police car in a crime scene
PHOTO/NMG