A Kenya Defence Forces soldier has committed suicide after shooting to death three relatives at Jua Kali area in Eldoret.
Mr Haron Tiony, who is based at the Lanet Barracks, is said to have been in Eldoret for the last four days after travelling from his work station in Gilgil.
The man is said to have been on a drinking spree before seeking out his girlfriend, Dorcas Lorinyo, who had taken refuge at his aunt’s house.
Eyewitnesses told Nation the two lovers quarrelled before the soldier shot her and his aunt, Rose Sang, 60. He is said to have shot his aunt as she sought to stop him from attacking his own girlfriend.
After killing the two, he is said to have gone to this uncle’s home which is just a few kilometres away and shot him also. He then turned the gun on himself.
The uncle has been identified as Benard Muge.
Puzzled friends and relatives of the killer soldier described him as a humble and polite man.
“Tiony is a polite man who is outgoing. We are extremely shocked with what has happened,” said Mr Shadrack Kiptoo.
Local residents also decried influx of illicit brew suspected to be from a neighbouring county in the area.
It was not immediately established how the soldier was allowed to carry the firearm from his work station.
Local members of the Nyumba Kumi initiative pointed an accusing finger at KDF for allowing the soldier to leave the barracks with a firearm.
The four bodies have been taken to the mortuary at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Editor’s Note.
An earlier version of this story said Haron Tiony drove from Gilgil to Eldoret on Monday night. But it has been established that he drove to Eldoret much earlier.