It was a double tragedy for a family after a man was beaten to death by his nephews who were angered by his refusal to destroy a coffin he had made for their father who died on Sunday.

The 60-year-old man of Kaburetwa village, Trans Nzoia in Kenya who was a carpenter, had made the coffin without the consent of his four nephews, leading to a deadly confrontation on Thursday evening.

The four brothers: Gilbert Wafula, 27; Makokha Khaemba, 47; Andrew Nyongesa, 52; and Michael Wamalwa, 17, confronted their uncle, asking him to destroy the coffin but he declined.

According to Saboti Sub-County Assistant Commissioner, Elijah Omoyo, the victim wanted an early burial for his brother in order to allow for the funeral rites of another relative.

“Since there was another burial of one of their relatives, he had recommended that his late brother be buried early, but that did not go down well with his nephews,” he said.

He added that the victim was attacked by his irate nephews who were armed with crude weapons.

“They set the coffin on fire before beating him to death,” he said.

The victim’s body was taken to Kiminini Cottage Hospital Mortuary.

After committing the crime, the four brothers disappeared from the scene but were later arrested by police at the nearby Tabason farm with the help of residents.

The four will be charged with murder, Trans Nzoia police boss, Samson Ole Kine, said.