A family in Solai, Nakuru County, is seeking justice after their kin, James Emase, 48, was found dead in a coffee plantation shortly after leaving home to run errands at a nearby shopping centre.

Emase's mother, Amarti Liris, says her son was her firstborn and that she last saw him at home on the evening before his death.

Liris who is yet to come to terms with the mysterious death of her son said that hours before his body was discovered they had shared dinner together not knowing it would be their last meal together.

She said he had visited her the previous evening, October 26, and after dinner, Emase told her he was going to sleep, promising to see her again in the morning before leaving for work.

However, the following morning, she was attracted by screams from a nearby coffee plantation after casual laborers who were heading to work, stumbled upon a badly mutilated body which had been dumped.

Liris alleges that the killing is connected to longstanding tensions surrounding land and what she describes as segregation within the community.

She says the family has struggled with its place in the area and fears the dispute could expose her other children to further danger.

The mother, who says Emase left behind three children, is appealing for justice and support as she grapples with the loss of her son.

“I want the person who killed my child to be brought to justice,” she says.

Amarti Liris, James Emase's mother recounts how she received news of the death of her son, James Emase,

Photo credit: LELETI JASSOR/MTAA WANGU

His uncle, Nangom Eyenae, however said the family is concerned by the disturbing reports circulating in the area suggesting that Emase was killed after being found stealing coffee from one of the farms, claims they strongly disputed.

“We just want to know why he was killed. I thought we had laws in this country. If he had committed an offence, he should have been arrested and allowed to face the law. Those responsible will not know peace until they surrender to the police,” he said.

Nangom Eyenae, James Emase's uncle, speaks to the media on November 4, at their home in Rongai

Photo credit: LELETI JASSOR/MTAA WANGU

The family has since reported the matter to police, with the body taken to Kwa Jack in Nakuru as investigations began.

The postmortem examination conducted on November 5, revealed Emase died due severe head injury due to blunt force trauma. Dr. Titus Ngulungu who conducted the autopsy on his remains at the Nakuru City mortuary revealed in his report, that his body had extensive soft tissue injury.

Dr Ngulungu further noted that other specimens including fingernails were removed for further examination including DNA profiling and matching.

“As a result of my examination I have formed the opinion that the cause of death was severe head injury due to blunt force trauma. We have collected samples for further examination, particularly DNA profiling,” read part of the report.

Rongai Police Commander Daniel Birech confirmed that the family made a report and the matter was later forwarded to the Directorate of Criminal Investigation for further investigation.

“Investigation is ongoing, so far we cannot reveal further since we are doing whatever we can to make sure that the culprit has been arrested and taken to court to face the law,” he said

Man found dead in Solai coffee plantation, family demands answers

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Leleti Jassor