Irate mourners kill two brothers at kin’s burial in Tharaka-Nithi

Two people were killed and their bodies set ablaze during the burial of a relative in Tharaka-Nithi County.

County Police Commander Johnston Ipara said the two were killed by family members and mourners.

The killing occurred Thursday in Makengi Village, Maara Sub-County.

The brothers, Miriti Mugigi and Mati Ntoiria, both in their 50s, had turned up with police and the local chief wanting to stop the burial over a land dispute when they were attacked by irate mourners.

The two were accused of having bewitched their nephew Kinyua Mbuna before a tree fell on him and he died.

The mourners vented their anger on the two as police tried to shoot in the air to disperse them.

OVERPOWERED BY ANGRY MOURNERS

The three policemen and the chief took to their heels when the mourners overpowered them.

"The deceased had come with police and the chief and demanded that Mbuna should not buried there.

“But the mourners said they two were responsible for Mbuna's death.

“They beat them to death before burning their bodies," an eyewitness said.

The two who died were also accused of having planned to bewitch other male members of Mbuna's family so that they could all die and not inherit the land.

"In fact, the two had given the dates when the members are supposed to die saying they will bewitch them," the witness who asked not to be named for fear of victimisation said.

Mr Ipara said police had been dispatched to the scene to investigate the incident.

Land disputes are rampant in Tharaka-Nithi and also in the neighbouring Meru County, sometimes resulting to killings.