Man accused of killing four family members in Kisumu arrested

Shem Akuku Atieno was detained at the Chemelil police station on Sunday evening and now awaits his arraignment. 

Police officers aware of the situation say he had attempted to commit suicide before his arrest on Sunday. 

What had started out as a normal weekend took a dark turn around 8 p.m. on Saturday when neighbours were alerted by one of the suspect's children's incessant crying.

Monica Atieno, a neighbour, described the chilling moment: 

"Niliskia tu kama mtoto alikuwa analia sasa nikauliza huyo bro wangu ni kwa nini unachapa mtoto hakuniongelesha sasa niakimbia niende nione ni kwa nini mtoto analia kufika hapo nikapata mtoto ameshakufa sasa sikujua ati kumbe pia bibi yake alikuwa hapo ndani kujaribu kumuita ndio kuna mtoto mwingine alikuja akaniambia ati ata bibi yake ashamuua ako hapo ndani,"

The suspect is said to have killed his wife and son in the Saturday incident. 

Armed with a machete, he is said to have gone to the next house and brutally attacked his 78-year-old uncle before turning the weapon on his 58-year-old aunt, Mary Otieno, killing her on the spot. 

Reports indicate he disappeared into the nearby sugarcane plantation after the act. 

The motive for the killings is unknown, leaving the family and community in shock because the suspect had never shown violent tendencies in the past.