Detectives in Nandi County have launched an investigation after the bodies of three boys were found floating in a swamp under mysterious circumstances in Aldai constituency.
The bodies of three boys including two brothers, 12-year-old Brian Kibet and 6-year-old Kelvin Kiprop, along with their 6-year-old neighbor Collins Kipruto, were found in a swamp in the Iyobei area on Saturday, June 15.
The three boys, who had missed school on Friday due to the ongoing school games, were reportedly at home. Many questions surround the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Area Chief Hillary Bett alerted the police shortly after confirming the incident upon the discovery of the bodies.
“After receiving news from the owner of this place, that bodies have been discovered floating in water, I reported the incident to the OCS Kaptumo Police Station,” Hillary said.
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Area Chief Reveals the State of The Bodies
In addition, he explained the state in which the bodies were found, noting that blood was oozing from parts of their bodies while another had visible marks on his face and finger.
“Blood was oozing from the mouths of the three bodies and the body of one the children had marks on his face and the small finger on his left hand,” said Hillary
In a meeting chaired by the Chief of Kaboi Location and other security officers with the locals, there was a consensus among attendees that the boys did not drown.
The chief further revealed a simple examination on the bodies by the OCS that raised more doubts about drowning.
“Their stomachs would have been swollen, but nothing. There was no water despite the OCS trying to press their stomachs,” he added.
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Nandi County Residents Decry Foul Play
Julia Koech, a resident of Kaboi Location also questioned the deaths of the boys stating that children in the area have been playing in the swamp yet no such incident has been reported before.
“Children play in the swamp and even cows walk in there, but nothing has ever died in there. This is a shocking incident,” she remarked.
Vincent Kiprop, another resident of the area stated, “As residents of this area, we feel that those children were murdered and thrown in that swamp.”
Special Ward Representative Josphat Tarbei, on his part, condemned the incident while also casting doubt in the manner the three boys were reported to have died.
Tarbei raised concerns based on the age of the boys, the level of water which he didn’t think could drown them and reiterated sentiments that children in the area are used to playing in the swamp.
“We don’t believe that those boys drowned because they are used to it. If you consider the level of water and the age 12, this is not too much water. We condemn the act,” Tarbei said.
Residents have asked the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation as they await the outcome of the postmortem examinations.
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