In a shocking and gruesome incident, Reverend James Kemei, a 43-year-old Anglican priest, was brutally murdered in his lover’s home in Kapsabet, Nandi County.

The priest, who was found in bed with the woman, a lay reader at St. Barnabas Church, was attacked by a Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) officer who had been tipped off about their affair.

The officer, who had been hiding in one of the rooms, emerged and attacked the couple, immobilizing the priest before assaulting his wife and inflicting severe injuries on the clergyman.

Neighbors reported that the officer forced his wife to watch as he brutally mutilated her lover, cutting off his genitals.

“The enraged military officer set the trap after discovering that the presbyter was having an affair with his wife, who was a lay reader at the same church. The trap materialised on Wednesday night when he found her in a compromising position on his marital bed,” a neighbour told NTV.

The incident occurred around 3 am on Thursday, and an anonymous caller alerted the police to the violence.

Nandi Police Commander Dickens Njogu confirmed that the matter was reported to them by Rev. Nillah Bassy, the provost of St. Barnabas Pro-Cathedral, later that morning.

Rev. Kemei was rushed to Kapsabet Level 5 Hospital in critical condition but was later referred to Eldoret, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival at Top Hill Hospital. The KDF officer fled the scene, and the police have reported the matter to his superiors.

The critically injured wife also disappeared, likely seeking medical treatment at a private hospital, and has not reported to the police.

The police boss stated that they have very scant details on the incident and that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has taken over the investigation.

The case is under investigation, and the authorities are working to apprehend the KDF officer and bring him to justice.