Man kills two, is lynched in Narok family land dispute

Assistant chief Bett Kipkemoi at the home where the killing occurred in Narok South

A long-running family land feud in Narok county ended in tragedy when a man hacked his brother and a village elder to death before being killed by an irate mob.

The incident occurred at Kaliet village in Sagamian ward, Narok South subcounty. Geoffrey Chirchir, 37, first killed his brother Vincent Chirchir over a dispute regarding a one-acre family land.

Village elder Antony Koske, who intervened to help resolve the conflict, was also fatally attacked. A third brother sustained serious head and hand injuries and was admitted to a local hospital.

Assistant chief Bet Kipkemoi said the two brothers had been feuding for several years since their parents’ death.

“We have repeatedly tried to reconcile them, but they kept quarreling over how to share the land,” he said, and urged residents to resolve disputes through dialogue rather than violence.

Village elder Andrew Langat said the family had a notorious history of violent land disputes, including a previous killing by a family member.

“It is unfortunate that an innocent elder lost his life while trying to help,” Langat said.

Police recovered the bodies and transported them to the morgue in Longisa, Bomet county. Investigations into the killings are ongoing.

Kipkemoi cautioned residents against taking the law into their own hands, emphasising that government offices have mechanisms to resolve land disputes.

“We encourage our people to use official channels to handle conflicts and avoid violence,” he said, noting that the administration would intervene to manage the feud and prevent future tragedies.