Police and security sources say two bloodthirsty gangs — the 14 Brothers and the 42 Brothers — are carrying out the slaughter.
The 42 Brothers, whose roots are said to be in Kisumu, first shot to regional and national infamy at the end of 2018 when they launched suspected ritual killings in Butere, Mumias and Mulwanda in Khwisero, Kakamega County.
The bloodthirsty gang, whose members are said to be aged between 15 and 25 years, left at least 15 people dead in more than three sub-counties and more than 40 fighting for their lives in hospital.
The gangsters, believed to be heavy bhang smokers and rapists who strike with impunity — at one time killing a woman barely 100 metres from Butere Police Station — are usually heavily armed with machetes, axes, spiked clubs and knives.
In March, the murderers slaughtered at least six watchmen at Kilingili market on the border of Emuhaya and Sabatia constituencies.
The bodies of victims of the murderous group that strikes indiscriminately bear signature calling cards: ripped tongues, gouged out eyes and genitals, deep head cuts and slit throats.
From Butere, cells of the dreaded gang spread to Khwisero, Mumias West, Mumias East — with residents of Emabole, Sabatia, Mwichinga, Shirumba, Bululwe and Eshinyamwinyuli villages suffering attacks — before finding a ‘home’ in Soweto and Kholera in Matungu.
Just as in Butere, members of the 42 Brothers gang in Matungu have been pursuing one main agenda: slaughtering villagers without fear or favour.
“These are the ‘Sonko’ (rich) criminals who are sponsored by politicians and business people and are not after victims’ money,” said a Nyumba Kumi chairman who sought anonymity, fearing for his life.
“Their mission is to kill people in their houses, on the road and anywhere else they get a chance. Once they finish you off, they leave.”