Police in Trans Nzoia County are investigating a tragic case in which a Kitale man killed a married woman at her husband’s house in the Kibomet area on the outskirts of Kitale Town.
The incident was reported on Saturday, June 21, and has raised an eyebrow regarding the response of the police and rising insecurity in the area.
The suspect, Patrick Silali Barasa, alias Jeff, reportedly stabbed Sally Sitawa Saenyi to death after she turned down his invitation.
Mr. Justus Saenyi, the victim’s father, disclosed that Barasa had been pursuing his daughter mercilessly even after he knew that she was already wedded.
He also disclosed that the suspect threatened to kill his daughter last week, and that the threats were reported at Naisambu Police Post, but nothing appeared to be done.
“Jeff threatened to kill my daughter if she did not become his mistress. On Thursday, the girl reported at Naisambu Police Post that the man had phoned and told her that the knife to kill her was ready. The officers did not take the matter seriously, unfortunately. I blame them for being careless. If they had acted on time, my daughter would be alive today,” said Mr. Saenyi.
The attacker allegedly stabbed Sally three times—two times on the neck and once in the back. The neighbors brought Sally to Cherang’any Nursing Home, where she was pronounced dead when they arrived.
Her corpse was later transferred to the Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary, where it awaited a postmortem examination.
Following the incident, authorities launched a manhunt for the suspect. Kiminini Sub-County Police Commander, Mr. John Onditi, confirmed that Barasa’s body was later found at a lodging in Moi’s Bridge Township, several kilometres from the crime scene.
The circumstances suggest he may have taken his own life. His body was also moved to the Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary for examination.
This is the sixth killing in Trans Nzoia County within a week,” stated Mr. Onditi, and this paints a picture of heightened security concerns in the area.
The family of the victim now demands justice and instant reforms in the police force. “All we need as a family is justice and accountability from our policemen. We desire radical reforms so that we do not lose more lives to negligence,” said Mr. Saenyi.
Authorities have vowed to fully investigate both deaths, and internal review of police response to prior reports is in the pipeline under the broader investigation.
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