The quiet village of Masare in Bomet East has been plunged into mourning following the brutal murder of Victor Kipngeno Koech. The 56-year-old quarry worker was hacked to death by a fellow villager in an attack that has left residents baffled and terrified.

Police reports indicate that Koech was ambushed near his home. The assailant, whose motive remains unclear, used a machete to inflict fatal injuries before fleeing the scene. The gruesome nature of the killing has sent shockwaves through the community, where Koech was known as a hardworking, peaceable man.

"We Want Justice"

"He was a man who toiled in the stones to feed his family," said a tearful relative at the Longisa County Referral Hospital mortuary. "He had no enemies. Why would someone do this? We are living in fear because the killer walked among us."

The suspect has since been arrested and is assisting police with investigations. However, the lack of a clear motive—no robbery was reported—has fueled speculation about a personal vendetta or a dispute over land, common triggers for violence in the region.

• Rising Insecurity: This incident adds to a worrying statistic of violent crimes in Bomet County. Residents are calling for increased police patrols, citing a proliferation of illicit brews which they blame for fueling senseless violence among the youth.
• Police Response: Bomet East Sub-County Police Commander confirmed the arrest. "We have the weapon and the suspect. We will be arraigning him for murder. We urge the public not to take the law into their own hands," he warned, alluding to the risk of mob justice.

A Community Scarred

As preparations for Koech’s burial begin, Masare village is a community on edge. The quarry mines, usually buzzing with the sound of hammers, have fallen silent as colleagues pay their respects.

For the family of Victor Koech, the arrest brings little solace. They have lost a breadwinner and a father, taken in a moment of senseless brutality that has forever stained the peaceful green hills of Bomet.