A night of binge drinking ended in tragedy after a minor disagreement over an unpaid boiled egg led to the death of 20-year-old man at Mogogosiek shopping center, Bomet County.
On February 13, Brian Moi had spent several hours drinking at a pub in the area and according to his friend, as the effects of the alcohol began to take hold, he decided to grab a snack from a local vendor selling boiled eggs and smokies.
Moi approached the vendor ordering one boiled egg priced at Sh25, hoping it would help stave off his hangover.
However, after consuming the egg, Moi failed to pay, leading to a heated exchange with the vendor.
Witnesses say that the argument escalated when Moi accidentally knocked over the vendor's trolley spilling Kachumbari.
According to Kipkorir Rono, a witness who was at the scene, a scuffle broke out between Moi and the vendor.
“The vendor was furious after Moi spilled the Kachumbari and in a fit of anger, he pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the chest,” Mr Rono recounted.
The argument quickly turned violent with the vendor allegedly striking Moi in the chest with the knife before fleeing the scene.
Bleeding, Moi was rushed to Litein Mission Hospital for medical attention but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Bomet County Police Commander Edward Imbwaga confirmed that Moi had been stabbed to death over the Sh 25 debt for the egg.
“We have arrested the eggs and smokies vendor. He is currently in custody and will be arraigned,” said Mr Imbwaga.
Moi's mother Florence Ngetich said the family is traumatised by the turn of events and is seeking justice for the senseless killing.
“I am heartbroken. My son was not sick, he was brutally killed and I want justice to be served,” she said tearfully.
Moi’s father Geoffrey Ngetich expressed his disbelief at the tragic events explaining how a simple act of clumsiness turned fatal.
“Brian wanted just one boiled egg. You know how boys behave sometimes, but he accidentally knocked over the Kachumbari. That’s when the vendor immediately stabbed him. As a family, we want this man to face the full force of the law,” said Mr Ngetich.
The incident has drawn attention from local leaders, including Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei and Konoin MP Brighton Yegon who visited the family to offer their condolences. "
“My thoughts and prayers are with the family as they navigate this unimaginable grief. We stand by them as they seek justice,” said Mr Sigei. “We must come together as a community to ensure that no more lives are lost due to violence and work toward peaceful conflict resolution.”
Isaac Ruto, chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission, also condemned the violence, highlighting a disturbing trend in the region.
"This is an unfortunate incident. My deepest condolences to the family. The abuse of alcohol and drugs is on the rise in Bomet, and I urge the youth to embrace peaceful conflict resolution to prevent such tragic outcomes," said Mr Ruto.
