Karachuonyo man kills brother over sand harvesting

A 45-year-old sand miner was killed by his younger brother after they allegedly differed during the sale of sand near Rambira beach in Karachuonyo constituency.

 Juma Saidi died after he was slashed on the neck by a spade used for scooping sand after they disagreed over who should sell the already harvested sand to a buyer

The Saturday evening incident saw Saidi first engaged in an altercation with his 40-year-old brother.

It is reported that their squabbles started when a lorry driver arrived at the site with intention of buying sand which had been harvested.

The driver parked his lorry near two heaps of sand of which one belonged to Saidi and the other one belonged to his brother.

They both approached the driver with an intention of persuading the driver to buy from them.

The driver had difficulties making a decision on whose sand to buy.

“The driver asked them to stop quarrelling and agree on whose sand could be bought. They engaged in a physical fight before Saidi was slashed on the neck,” an eyewitness said.

According to Kamser Seka Sub Location assistant chief Japheth Nyaoke, the two brothers were also involved in verbal exchanges which aggravated into physical fights.

Nyaoke said the man pounced on Saidi’s neck and injured him seriously.

“Saidi sustained serious injuries on the neck which led to his death. His colleagues present tried in vain to intervene,” Nyaoke said.

Saidi died a few minutes later when he was being rushed to Kendu Bay Sub-county Hospital.

Rachuonyo North Sub-county Police Commander Lydia Parteiyie said Saidi died as a result of the injuries he sustained on his neck.

“It’s unfortunate Saidi was killed by his younger brother who should have protected him,” Pareiyie said.

Police have already arrested the suspected killer and he is being detained at Kendu Bay police station.

“We’re interrogating the suspect in custody and we’ll charge him in court with murder,” she said.

Residents were advised to embrace tolerance and avoid taking the law into their hands.

The police boss said they also confiscated the weapon used for killing Saidi.

 "Let residents learn how to solve their differences using dialogue. Nobody is allowed to kill another person,” Parteiyie said.

 The deceased man’s body was moved to Kendu Adventist Hospital mortuary.