A man in Ndalat market, Nandi County of Kenya, has killed his wife and three children, after which he surrendered at the Kipkaren Salient police station.
According to NTV Kenya, the incident occurred Wednesday night during a domestic feud between the couple.
Philip Lokuruen, 40, confessed to the police that he killed his wife Rispa Chelimo, 35, and his children: Ian Kipkosgei, 11; Brenda Cheruto, 9; and Linus Kipkosgei, 7, respectively.
Local media reports Nandi County Area Chief, Eunice Luley, was said to be first among eyewitnesses at the scene of the crime on Wednesday.
She said that the police had subsequently deposited the bodies at a hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem.
Although details are still sketchy, as the motive of the killing is yet to be established, police have since commenced a comprehensive investigation into the gruesome act which has plunged the whole community into a state of shock.
Some Kenyans reacting on social media have described the act as “barbaric”, while some attributed the act to “frustration”, with some suggesting it is becoming an “African” trend, triggered by socio-economic woes egregiously felt across the continent.
One Rachael Nyakwar had commented on the incident on Facebook “Yawa! What’s really happening nowadays?? After every 1 or 2 weeks, family death breaking News announcement is on air😢..
It’s so scaring! What about if we decide not to marry for some years and avoid such deaths.. I’m now fearing getting married 😭.”
Dancan Imbwaka said, “High cost of living has greatly brought frustrations to marriages. God help us!”
Another Kenyan commented, “The kind of news we hear nowadays! Depression is real!”
The police have not issued a statement on their investigation as at the time of filing this report.
NTV Kenya