12-Year-Old Fatally Stabs 16-Year-Old Friend Over Toy Dispute in Kipkaren: Police Urge Parental Vigilance During Holidays
“Despite efforts to save the 16-year-old, he succumbed to his injuries before arriving at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital,” Mwanthi Police Commander

12-Year-Old Fatally Stabs 16-Year-Old Friend Over Toy Dispute in Kipkaren
On Monday morning, a tragic altercation between two boys turned fatal in Kipkaren Estate, Turbo Constituency, when a 12-year-old allegedly stabbed a 16-year-old after a disagreement over toys. Both boys, who are reportedly Grade Five students, were playing together at home when an argument broke out over a toy. According to Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Benjamin Mwanthi, the dispute quickly escalated as the 12-year-old ran to the kitchen, retrieved a knife, and used it to stab the older boy.
Speaking to HubzMedia, Mwanthi shared details of the incident and expressed his deep sorrow over the young lives affected. “This is a heartbreaking incident. We’ve lost a young life over a minor disagreement, which might have been avoided with some intervention. Despite efforts to save the 16-year-old, he succumbed to his injuries before arriving at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital,” Mwanthi reported.
Mwanthi also stressed the need for parental involvement, especially during extended school breaks. “As parents, we must be aware of what our children are doing, especially during these long school holidays. Children are spending more time at home, and it’s crucial to ensure they are safe, both physically and emotionally,” he said. He urged families to closely monitor their children’s behavior and teach them constructive ways to handle conflicts. “We must emphasize the importance of peaceful problem-solving and managing anger. Children need to know that violence is never the answer.”
The incident has shaken the Kipkaren community, where residents are grappling with shock and grief over the loss. Many community members, including parents and local leaders, have joined in mourning and in calling for greater awareness around children’s mental and emotional needs. They underscored the importance of not only providing children with guidance but also of understanding the pressures and challenges young people face in handling disagreements.
“This incident should remind us all that young people need more than just supervision; they need emotional support and the skills to handle conflict,” said a local pastor who gathered with other residents to offer condolences to the families involved. He added, “As a community, we must come together to create a nurturing environment for our children, one where they feel safe and understood.”
Police Commander Mwanthi highlighted that while children are bound to have conflicts, it is the role of adults to model and teach peaceful resolution skills. “Children look to us for guidance. We must help them learn to navigate disagreements without resorting to aggression,” he explained, calling on parents, teachers, and community leaders to work together in reinforcing positive behaviors among youth.
The incident has prompted local leaders to propose new outreach programs and workshops focused on anger management and conflict resolution for children, emphasizing the need to educate young people on handling emotions responsibly. As police continue their investigation, Mwanthi encouraged anyone with additional information to come forward to help ensure that all aspects of the case are thoroughly examined.
“While we cannot change what happened, we can all take steps to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again,” Mwanthi concluded, urging parents to remain vigilant and proactive in fostering an environment of peace and understanding for their children.