A family is struggling to come to terms with the heartbreaking loss of their loved one after a tragic incident in Keroka, Nyamira County, ended with the death of a young man described by friends and colleagues as hardworking, humble, and full of promise.
The deceased, identified as Amos Manasseh, was employed at a Rubis Petrol Station in Keroka and was known to many as a dedicated worker who always went about his duties quietly. However, his life was cut short in circumstances that have sparked shock, anger, and calls for justice.
According to a close friend, Manasseh’s troubles began after a disagreement with his girlfriend. The two had reportedly fallen out and had not communicated for several days following the dispute.
As tensions between the couple lingered, Manasseh allegedly decided to visit his girlfriend’s house to retrieve a gas cylinder that he had recently purchased and gifted to her during happier times in their relationship.
What was supposed to be a simple visit soon turned into a nightmare.
According to accounts shared by his devastated friend, the woman allegedly raised an alarm, claiming that she was under attack from a thief. Her screams reportedly attracted the attention of nearby residents, who rushed to the scene to intervene.
Within moments, a crowd had gathered.
Instead of seeking to establish what had happened or allowing Manasseh an opportunity to explain why he was at the house, the crowd allegedly turned on him.
The situation quickly escalated into a violent mob attack.
Witnesses claim that Manasseh was stoned repeatedly by the angry crowd. By the time the confusion subsided, he had suffered fatal injuries.
“He had differences with his girlfriend, and they had not spoken for days. Yesterday, he went to collect a gas cylinder he had gifted her. The lady allegedly screamed that a thief was attacking her. People gathered and allegedly stoned Amos to death without asking any questions or giving him a chance to explain himself,” his friend Nyakundi painfully recounted.
The young man’s body was later moved to a mortuary as investigations into the incident began.
News of his death spread rapidly across Keroka and beyond, leaving friends, former classmates, and relatives devastated.
Nyakundi, who studied alongside Manasseh at Keroka Technical Training Institute, shared emotional messages and heartbreaking photos showing the condition in which his friend was found after the attack. He described the loss as unbearable and called on authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly.
“I am shattered. We have lost a friend, a brother, and a hardworking young man in a very painful way,” he said.
The tragedy has sparked widespread reactions on social media, where many Kenyans expressed sorrow and outrage over the incident. Several people who knew Manasseh personally described him as respectful, hardworking, and peace-loving.
Others condemned mob justice, noting that innocent people have lost their lives after being wrongly accused or denied the opportunity to defend themselves.
As the family mourns their son, questions continue to linger over what exactly transpired on that fateful day. Relatives and friends are now demanding justice for Manasseh, hoping investigators will uncover the truth behind the events that led to his death.
For those who knew him, the pain remains raw. A young life filled with dreams and potential has been cut short, leaving behind grief, unanswered questions, and a family searching for closure.
