Grief as Emmanuel Kimutai is Laid to Rest in Chepalungu

Grief engulfed Roporwo Village in Chepalungu, Bomet County, as 13-year-old Emmanuel Kimutai, who was brutally murdered, was laid to rest.

Thousands of mourners thronged the village to pay their last respects to the Grade Six pupil, who died two weeks ago after allegedly being beaten to death by his father.

Calls for justice dominated the funeral speeches, with leaders and members of the public contributing money to support Emmanuel’s mother as she comes to terms with the tragic loss of her son.

Emmanuel reportedly met his death after drinking milk and eating bread, which led to a violent assault by his father. The suspect was later arraigned in the Bomet Law Courts on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.

Emmanuel, a pupil at Chebugon Primary School in Rongena-Manaret Ward, had been preparing to attend the school’s Prayer Day on Friday, September 12, 2025.

A postmortem examination conducted at Kapkatet Hospital in Kericho County revealed that he died from lack of oxygen caused by severe chest congestion, which restricted normal breathing.

Doctors also found extensive internal injuries, including a ruptured blood vessel that caused fatal brain bleeding, as well as significant trauma to the spleen.

They concluded that the combined impact of head injuries, respiratory failure, and internal organ damage triggered a “fatal cascade” that proved irreversible.

Mourners urged parents to embrace peaceful conflict resolution instead of resorting to violence against their children.

“It is heartbreaking that a child’s life was cut short over something as small as bread. Parents must find peaceful ways to resolve conflicts, not punish their children with violence,” said one mourner.

Local leaders, led by area MP Victor Koech, pledged to acquire land and construct a house for Emmanuel’s mother to support her in rebuilding her life.