This archive report was first published on 31 August 2019.
On August 31, 2019, a tragic incident shook Siomo village in Konoin, Bomet county, when a 28-year-old man, Peter Langat, killed his two sons in a fit of rage over a dispute with his wife.
Langat, a casual worker at a nearby tea factory, had arrived home and started arguing with his wife, accusing her of failing to contribute money for buying maize flour. He warned her not to cook meals using the maize flour he bought unless she contributed, but his wife, a teacher, ignored his demands and went ahead to prepare supper for their sons.
When Langat arrived home to find that his wife had prepared ugali using the maize flour he bought alone, he threatened to kill her and the children. The wife, sensing danger, ran to a neighbour's house, but Langat stormed the neighbour's house with a panga and started attacking the sons, prompting the wife to escape through the window.
The neighbour who housed the children rushed them to Cheptalal Health centre, but they were pronounced dead on arrival. Konoin Sub County police boss Alex Shikondi said police have mounted a manhunt for Langat, who is believed to have escaped to relatives in neighbouring Bureti.
Residents of Siomo village have threatened to lynch Langat if they get hold of him for killing the two innocent children. The bodies of the children have been taken to Kapkatet hospital mortuary.
