Bomet first Governor Isaac Ruto Condemns Brutal Killing of Bomet Boy, Calls for Justice

Former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto has strongly condemned the killing of a 13-year-old Emmanuel Kimutai, who was brutally beaten to death by his father over a slice of bread and milk in Rongena-Manaret Ward of Sotik-Bomet County.

Ruto in a heartfelt message posted on his Facebook page said that the incident was "deeply painful" and "beyond comprehension," adding that it was inconceivable that a child could suffer so much at the hands of his own parent.

“It has been deeply painful to even imagine the suffering the late Emmanuel Kimutai endured in the hands of his ‘father’; beaten so severely until he succumbed to injuries sustained simply because he bit a slice of bread and took a sip of milk,” Ruto said.

The governor emphasized that child abuse is a serious offense and issued a warning that such cruelty can never be justified by any circumstance or justification.

“Our laws are very clear; CHILD ABUSE is a grave CRIME and no excuse nor circumstance can justify such BRUTALITY. Justice must take its course so that this innocent boy’s life is honored and his suffering is not in vain,” the statement reads.

He added; “The law exists to protect the vulnerable and it must be upheld without fear or favor.”

Ruto urged the parents and society at large to to rethink how we discipline our children adding that there are better and more constructive ways to guide young ones without harming and scarring them for life.

He added that the tragedy should serve as a wake-up call to protect vulnerable children and urged the community to stand up against gender-based violence and abuse in all its forms.

“As Emmanuel rests in severe pain, let this tragedy awaken us all to guard our children and build a society where discipline is never confused with abuse,” he said.

The governor expressed deep sorrow, saying the case had shaken the county and weighed heavily on the hearts of many.

Emmanuel, was a Grade Six pupil at Chebugon Primary School and he was laid to rest on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at Chebunyo in Chepalungu Constituency.

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.