A land dispute between brothers in Bobasi, Kisii County, took a dark turn that left four people dead and several seriously injured.
According to Nyamache Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) Kipkulei Kipkemoi, the dispute had been brewing for twenty years before turning ugly on the night of March 4.
Kipkemoi, while speaking to the press, revealed that the dispute involved two warring brothers.
“This is a prolonged land dispute between two brothers that has dragged on for close to two decades.
“There is an active case in court which gave orders for eviction to one of the brothers and his family,” he explained the intrigues of the case.
Kipkemoi revealed that despite the court’s decision, the evicted family wanted to lay claim to the land.
“On Thursday, March 3, the evicted brother passed on and the family wanted to start preparations for the burial. They started erecting structures in preparation for the burial,” he explained.
The burial preparations irked the other family and a terse exchange of words followed.
Sensing danger, the evicted family installed guards on the property to keep vigil.
In fear of losing land despite a court order, the other family united with community members to stop the burial process and land encroachment.
According to the OCPD, the charged villagers stormed into the home where they overpowered the guards.
“Four of the guards lost their lives during the attack and three houses were torched to the ground,” Kipkemoi gave scope of the destruction.
