- KDF soldier Ezekiel Bett was fatally assaulted after a dispute at a bar in Kipkelion West, Kericho County.
- The altercation began between Bett and bar waiter Caleb Momanyi before escalating.
- Bar owner Oliver Juma allegedly struck Bett on the head with a blunt object.
- Locals, angered by Bett’s death, burned down the bar and a school linked to Juma.
- Police arrested Juma and Momanyi, and investigations are still ongoing.
Police in Kericho County have arrested two suspects linked to the fatal assault of a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldier, Ezekiel Bett, following a dispute at a local bar in Mtaragon trading center, Kipkelion West.
Bett, 32, stationed in Ngong, Nairobi, reportedly argued with bar waiter Caleb Momanyi on Saturday night. Kipkelion Sub-County Police Commander Maurice Guddah stated that Momanyi then called his employer, bar owner Oliver Juma, for backup.
“During the altercation, Juma allegedly struck Bett on the head with a blunt object, causing serious injuries,” said Guddah.
Bett was rushed to Kipkelion Sub-County Hospital before being transferred to Kericho County Referral Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Following his death enraged locals set fire to the bar and an academy believed to be owned by Juma. It took law enforcement officers over six hours to restore order.
Philip Rono, the Kamasian Ward representative, revealed that Bett and Juma had a long-standing personal conflict, which may have contributed to the deadly confrontation.
Ongoing Investigations
The suspects, Juma and Momanyi, remain in police custody as investigations continue. Bett’s body has been moved to the Kericho County Referral Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination.
