14-year-old boy killed by Laikipia ranch owner’s 15-year-old son while hunting

A family in Sosian, Rumuruti, Laikipia County, is demanding justice after their 14-year-old son Peter Edung was allegedly shot dead by 15-year-old Lance Tomlinson, the son of the owner of Ol Donyo Lemora Ranch, Ivan Tomlinson.

Reports indicate that the two were allegedly out hunting hyenas on Tuesday night when tragedy struck.

Police say Ivan and his son have been arraigned and released on cash bail and bond as an investigation into the incident continues.

For five days Peter Narukei's jovial mood has been replaced by grief and pain; a father's pride taken away by a bullet.

His second-born son, 14-year-old Peter Edung, died after he was allegedly shot inside Ol Donyo ranch.

Reports indicate that he was allegedly shot by 15-year-old Lance Tomlinson, the son of the owner of the ranch, Ivan Tomlinson.

Emuria Lorere, area resident, said: "Nilienda mpaka huko nikajionea ni kweli mtoto amepigwa risasi. Nilienda huko saa tatu asubuhi mpaka saa tano ndio askari wa DCI walikuja. Kulingana na ushahidi uliotolewa huko, hao wachungaji usiku waliskia risasi tatu…tuliona maganda ya risasi.”

The family says ranch workers intervened and confiscated his firearm before transferring the body of the deceased to Rumuruti Funeral Home where it is being preserved.

Elizabeth Natapal, the deceased’s grandmother, said: "Tuko na uchungu mingi hatujui tutapita wapi, tutaelekea wapi…mama mzazi wetu aligongwa na mbogo na hakuna kitu serikali ilitusaidia.”

Jecinta Koree, Chief Officer of Education, Laikipia: “Kitu ambayo tunataka ni haki itendekee…we demand for justice, tunasema this is a test for justice.”

Sosian MCA Parleto Lekopien said: "Niko na uchungu kubwa sana maana leo tumezunguka tukipeana bursary ilihali wale watoto tunapea bursary tumepoteza mmoja.”

Laikipia Police Commander Martin Nduriri says his officers arrested the owner of the ranch, Ivan Tomlinson and his son. The two were arraigned in Rumuruti on Friday.

Lance was released on a Ksh.1.5 million bond while the father, Ivan, was released on a Ksh.100,000 bond after he was charged with allowing a minor access to his firearm.

Nduriri says investigations are still ongoing including ballistic examination of the firearm.