Court told how dispute over chang’aa led to murder

A man who was assaulted by his three co-workers during a chang’aa drinking spree died four days later at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital where he had been rushed in critical condition, an Eldoret court heard yesterday.

Police Constable Simon Wanjala, attached to Baharini police station who investigated the case, told the court that the deceased had gone to the drinking den where he bought a Sh30 glass of chang’aa.

Wanjala narrated that while at the drinking den, he met his co-workers also enjoying their drinks and on seeing him, they demanded that he clears their bills, a request he turned down.

According to the investigating officer, the deceased explained to his co-workers that he had only Sh200 and that once he clears his bill, he would spend the balance of Sh170 to buy food for his family.

He told Justice Reuben Nyakundi that the deceased identified the three suspects by their names in a statement he recorded from him in his hospital bed a few days before he died.

Wanjala said that a scuffle ensued between the deceased and the three suspects after he was cornered on the road while heading home after the drinking spree.

“He told me that his co-workers overpowered him and one of them twisted his neck while the two others hit him hard on the ribs until he fell down unconscious. The court heard that the deceased was left on the dusty road where he spent the night before his family, who were informed about the incident,took him to the hospital the next morning.

“Although he was writhing in severe pain, he could recall what happened including identifying the people who assaulted him by their names,” said Wanjala.

Wanjala was testifying in a case in which Daniel Kiprotich, Meshack Kipchirchir and Ronald Kiplagat are accused of killing Nicholas Tenai.

They allegedly committed the office on September 28, 2019 at Baharini trading centre In Turbo sub county, Uasin Gishu county. The first and second accused persons have denied the murder charge. Kiplagat, who admitted to the offence when he took plea four years ago, was sentenced to serve a five year jail term.

Another witness, Beatrice Nyongesa told the court that she served the deceased alongside ten other clients the illicit brew on the fateful evening.

Justice Nyakundi directed the prosecution and the lawyer who is representing the accused persons to submit written submission before him on April 9.