By Sheldon Adolwa.
A somber mood has engulfed Kilimani village following a shocking incident in which a man brutally killed his brother using an axe after a dispute allegedly arose over food.
According to Peter Lukala, his brothers Michael Lukala and Reuben Lutabony had spent the day digging a well for a neighbor.
Tired and hungry, they returned home in the evening to prepare their meal.
However, a heated argument erupted as they were cooking ugali, a staple dish in most Kenyan households.
What began as a simple disagreement quickly escalated into a violent confrontation, culminating in a gruesome act of murder.
Speaking to journalists, their brother Peter Lukala explained the sequence of events that led to the fatal attack.
“Michael and Reuben worked together the whole day without any signs of hostility. But as soon as they started cooking, they began quarreling. Within minutes, the argument turned into a full-blown fight. Then, suddenly, Reuben grabbed an axe and attacked Michael from behind, hitting him several times on the head. He died on the spot,” he recounted.
Their elderly mother, Esther Akwam, was present when the fight broke out. She desperately tried to intervene but was overpowered.
“I found them fighting and tried to separate them, but it was difficult. They were too strong for me. I screamed for help and called our neighbors, but by the time they arrived, it was too late. My son was already gone,” she said, tears welling in her eyes.
Neighbors who responded to her distress calls were horrified by the scene that greeted them.
One resident described the attack as brutal and senseless, questioning how a simple meal dispute could lead to such a tragedy.
Area elder Cleophas Barasa has strongly condemned the incident, urging families to seek peaceful ways to resolve disputes.
He also criticized the living arrangements, stating, “It is unfortunate that a minor quarrel has ended in such a tragic loss. People must learn to settle their disputes without resorting to violence. It is also not right for men over 40 years old to continue living in the same house. It creates unnecessary tension and insecurity. Each man should strive to have his own home to avoid such conflicts,” he advised.
The shocking incident has left residents in disbelief, with local leaders urging families to embrace peaceful conflict resolution.
Some residents believe long-standing tensions may have contributed to the fatal attack, with the food dispute only serving as a trigger.
Meanwhile, police have launched investigations into the matter. The body of Michael Lukala was moved to the Webuye Hospital mortuary as detectives piece together the events that led to his untimely death.
Residents are now calling for justice, hoping that such an incident will never happen again in their community.
