Family seeking justice for teacher who was killed in brawl over woman

On August 31, Naftal Aondo Moguche set out for a picnic with his friends at the plateau of Manga hills in Kisii County.

However, what was supposed to be a recreational activity on the magical Kisii hills on the hot Monday afternoon ended tragically after Mr Aondo, slipped to his death.

Mr Aondo’s friends alleged that the 26-year-old man was pushed down the stony cliff, after a scuffle over a woman, with a man who is now in police custody.

Police arrested three other people who allegedly stormed the picnic site to attack Mr Aondo with his friends on suspicion that he had escaped with the woman the attackers were pursuing.

Manga Sub County Police boss Gabriel Mwangangi said they arrested four people who are assisting police with investigations.

“We have four individuals in police custody. They are assisting us with investigations over the events that resulted in the brutal beating that lead to the death of Aondo,” said Mr Mwangangi.

A postmortem report for the late Aondo showed that he suffered head injury and fracture on his arms and legs due to blunt force trauma.

Brutal assault

“Mr Aondo was assaulted by a person well known to him, injured and fell down the cliff. He was rushed to Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital where he succumbed to injuries,” reads the postmortem report.

As they prepare for the deceased's burial this Friday, Aondo's family has accused police of delaying the investigations into the incident, saying the suspects are yet to be arraigned in court.

Mr Timothy Moguche, the deceased’s elder brother, said they were unhappy with how police were conducting investigations.

“We do not know why all Aondo’s eight friends whom he had gone hiking with have not been asked to record statements with the police,” said Mr Moguche.

He said that they got reports that Aondo and his friends were attacked by a group of about 10 men who had vowed to ‘revenge’ after he ‘stole’ their girl.

“But strangely, when my brother was being roughed up, his friends fled and locked themselves in their vehicles, leaving him helpless,” said Mr Moguche.

Mysterious death

He said all they want is justice for their brother who taught English at Bishop Mugendi Nyakegogi High School.

“My brother was a teacher and got employed in 2018. It is sad that schools will re-open after Covid-19 without him,” said Mr Moguche.

Mr Aondo, the last born child in a family of four, had before his death promised to buy his mother, Beatrice Nyanchama, milk and sugar. That will forever remain just that - a promise.

“Our mother waited only to get reports of his death later,” said Mr Moguche.

The victim’s father, Peterson Moguche, who was also a teacher, died in 2002 under unclear circumstances. His body was found dumped by the roadside.

The only suspect in the case was released.