In Uasin Gishu County, a church elder has been charged with manslaughter for allegedly killing his 23-year-old son on August 21 by beating him.
Paul Rugut, the suspect who has been held by police for 14 days while inquiries into the murder occurrence are conducted, refuted the accusation.
Rugut appeared in court and was charged. Eldoret Principal Magistrate Caroline Wattimah ordered his release on a sh 500,000 bond with a sh 500,000 guarantee.
He was accused of murdering his son Vincent Kimutai Bett on August 21, 2023 in the Kapyemit area in Turbo Sub-County.
The prosecution accused him of manslaughter in violation of sections 202 and 205 of the penal code after the circumstances that led to the incident. Rugut had earlier asked the court to grant him a release on a light bail so he could care for his kids at home.
“The deceased is my son and as I speak now his siblings are at home waiting for me to fend for them. Some of my children are at home due to school fees, and I kindly plead with you to consider releasing me on lenient bond terms,” pleaded Rugut.
On September 26, the case will be brought up for additional instructions about pre-trial.
The deceased is claimed to have stormed into his parents' bedroom on the day of the incident, forcefully shaking his father awake as he raised and pushed the bed away.
The two then engaged in a verbal battle that turned physical. The church elder then struck his son with an elastic blow before the boy managed to flee the house with significant injuries.
The next morning, though, his lifeless body was discovered close to their house.
Police personnel picked up the body from the Baharini police station and transported it to the mortuary of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital for a postmortem.
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