A 70-year-old grandmother, Priscilla Were, was on Tuesday morning hacked to death by her grandson under unclear circumstances.
The suspect, Steve Olumbe, also killed eight animals.
The granny has been staying with the suspect since childhood after the death of his mother.
It is reported that the grandson woke up and locked the door before attacking his grandmother with a panga.
When the granny collapsed, he hacked her again with an axe and she died on the spot.
The 24-year-old suspect also tried to attack the grandmother's niece, a Std 7 pupil.
A relative, Silas Ngare, said the suspect tried to attack her after realising he had killed the grandmother. Ngare said the girl escaped through the window.
When the girl disappeared, the suspect killed three cows and five goats using an axe and a panga and injured a donkey.
Ngare said the reason for the murder had not been established.
It is, however, said the suspect had developed a mental problem since he has been epileptic.
“The grandmother used to pick the epilepsy drugs from the hospital,” Ngare said.
Arujo location senior chief Bob Lang’o said the suspect left home after the incident but was arrested at the Homa Bay bus park. The chief said boda boda riders helped arrest the man.
Lang'o said they were informed about the incident by some security guards.
The security guards saw the man walking around with a blood-stained panga and axe. His clothes also had bloodstains.
Police later broke the door and discovered the grandmother's body in the house.
Residents said they have never witnessed such an incident.
Elakana Arot, a resident said the act was uncalled for.
Homa Bay county police commander Esther Seroney said they are investigating the matter.
“Residents did well by not taking the law into their hands. Let them be calm as we probe the matter,” Seroney said.
The body was moved to Homa Bay County Referral Hospital mortuary.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
