A tragic incident unfolded on Saturday at a church service in Ramoya village, located in the Samba Sub location of Suba South constituency, Homa Bay County, where a 35-year-old elder of the Seventh Day Adventist Church was fatally stabbed by a fellow elder, allegedly over a love triangle.
Francis Opiyo, an elder at Ebeneza SDA Church, was attacked with a knife at the altar in front of the congregation. Reports indicate that the stabbing occurred shortly after Francis had presented church reports to the attendees, just before the main sermon led by the pastor.
Suba South Sub County Police commander Caxton Ndunda shared that Francis had successfully concluded his segment and was in the process of handing over to another elder when the incident took place. The assailant, also an elder from the same church, approached the altar, retrieved a knife concealed inside a Bible, and stabbed Francis in the left side of his chest, causing him to collapse immediately.
Ndunda revealed that the attacker accused Francis of having an affair with his wife, who is also a member of the church. Following the stabbing, the assailant fled the scene but later turned himself in to the local Assistant Chief. Meanwhile, Francis was rushed to the hospital, where he unfortunately passed away during treatment.
The police have since apprehended the suspect, who is currently being held at the Magunga police station. Ndunda urged the community to seek peaceful resolutions to their conflicts rather than resorting to violence.
The deceased’s body has been transferred to St. Camillus Hospital Mortuary in Sori Town, Migori County.
