A homestead was torched by enraged villagers to avenge the killing of a 40-year-old man on Sunday evening.
The family lost five houses on Wednesday at Radienya village, Upper Kwandiku sublocation in Central Kanyamwa, Ndhiwin Homa Bay.
Area chief George Ogonda Otieno said the villagers torched the houses to avenge the murder of Tobias Odhiambo Obunga who was allegedly slashed to death by Milton Odoyo.
"The suspect called me (Otieno) and narrated what had transpired between him and Tobias before he surrendered to police at Ndhiwa," the chief said.
Otieno said the villagers stormed the suspect’s home, set ablaze three of his houses and killed livestock.
“The mob also torched Milton’s mother's house and another house belonging to his brother,” the chief said. They also killed two pigs and a calf.
Residents said that Milton, armed with a panga, had confronted Tobias on Sunday evening, accusing him of grazing animals in his maize plantation.
Otieno said the suspect slashed Tobias on the head and right arm.
Tobias was rushed to Homa Bay county Referral Hospital in critical condition but was declared dead on arrival.
Ndhiwa subcounty police commander Robert Aboki confirmed that the suspect presented himself to Ndhiwa police station where he is detained.
Investigations are ongoing before arraignment.
The body of the deceased was moved to Manyatta Hospital mortuary in Kobodo.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
