Shock as man confesses how he killed his brother in Trans Nzoia over land dispute
A police officer escorts Wycliffe Karanja, 25, who confessed to killing and secretly burying his elder brother on his maize firm in Endebess, Trans Nzoia County, following a land tussle. The body of the deceased was exhumed on November 1, 2016. PHOTO | PHILIP BWAYO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The deceased, John Maina, had been missing for three weeks.
- The incident attracted a huge crowd, some of whom wailed upon seeing the deceased’s body being retrieved from the grave.
- Neighbours also expressed shock at the incident.
- Mr Mogire said the suspect will be arraigned on murder charges once police complete their investigations.
A man on Tuesday evening confessed to killing his younger brother and secretly burying his body on a maize plantation in Trans Nzoia County.
Wycliffe Karanja, 25, made the shocking revelations to law enforcement officers in Endebess after he became worried that villagers harvesting maize on a nearby farm would unearth his late brother’s secret grave.
His brother, John Maina, had been missing for three weeks.
According to Kwanza OCPD Wilfred Mogire, Mr Karanja’s confession shocked many.
“He came to the station in the company of an elderly man and told us he wanted to make a confession in relation to his brother’s death,” said Mr Mogire.
Mr Karanja, he added, revealed he had disagreed with his late brother over a parcel of land that had been left under their custody by their late parents.
HIT HIM WITH A CLUB
According to him, a fight ensued and he hit his brother with a club on the head, killing him on the spot.
“My intention was not to kill him. I was surprised when I realised he had died.
"I wrapped him in a sack, dug a grave and buried him in the maize plantation to conceal evidence,” he said.
Mr Mogire said after thoroughly interrogating the man, they set out to retrieve the body in the farm.
BODY FOUND
“After digging the ground for some time, we found the body buried some four feet underground,” said Mr Mogire.
The incident attracted a huge crowd, some of whom wailed upon seeing the deceased’s body being retrieved from the grave.
Neighbours also expressed shock at the incident.
“The two have had a history of fighting. But we never expected this to end this way,” said Esther Nasimiyu, a local resident.
Mr Mogire said the suspect, who is currently in custody at the Kitale Police Station, will be arraigned on murder charges once police complete their investigations.
The body was taken to the Kitale County Hospital mortuary.
