Meru: Man hacked to death by his two brothers-in-law, angry mob kills one of them

Two people have died while two others have been arrested following a violent incident in Lailuba village, Tigania East Constituency in Meru County, where a man was hacked to death by his brothers-in-law after visiting to help his ailing mother-in-law.

According to residents, the deceased had gone to persuade his sick mother-in-law to seek medical treatment when he was attacked by two brothers and their sister.

The neighbours said the three allegedly assaulted him, leading to his death.

Angered by the killing, residents descended on one of the suspects in an apparent act of mob justice, beating him severely before setting two houses where the other suspects were hiding on fire.

Security officers arrived at the scene and managed to rescue the two suspects from the angry crowd, but the one who had been beaten by the mob later died on the way to the hospital.

Confirming the incident, Buuri Chief John Mamira described the occurrence as tragic, noting that the deceased had only gone to assist his sick mother-in-law.

“Kuna huzuni nyingi sana hapa mahali maafa ilitokea, na ningetaka kuwaomba wananchi, ata kama umekasirika namna gani, tafadhali tusichukulie sheria mikononi ili aliyekukosea achukuliwe hatua,” he said.

“Marehemu alikuwa amekuja kusaidia mama yake, shemeji, kwa hivyo amekufia kwa uzuri wake na si ati alikuwa na uhasama.”

The chief said he had visited the family the previous week to persuade the woman to continue with her medication after she had been discharged from the hospital.

Residents who condemned the incident said the family was largely secluded and rarely participated in community activities.

“Hawa watu ninawajua vizuri sana. Wamekuwa wakikaa kwa boma ya mama yao na wako na over 40 years wote mpaka huyo dada ako karibu miaka 50. Tunataka wachukuliwe hatua kali sana… wanaishi vibaya sana ata hawashirikiani na watu,” said one neighbour.

The bodies have been moved to Miathene Level 4 Hospital mortuary, while the two suspects — a brother and sister — are being held at Muthaara Police Station as police continue with investigations.