On the evening of Friday, February 7, the bell at Kapkoiwo Primary School in Baringo North rang, releasing learners from the confines of their classrooms and ushering in the boundless possibilities of a weekend, a weekend that would remain stark in a long time.

Like the two halves of a whole, nine-year-old twins Victor Ruto and Vicky, inseparable as always, rushed out of their classroom, school bags bouncing off their shoulders in a near-telepathic move.

Perhaps, if they knew what awaited them in a few hours, Victor might have lingered longer with his twin at school, skipping rope, or even stayed home to help their mother do dishes. But they did not. They rushed home to shed off their school uniform and sped off to the grazing fields to play under their favourite mango tree, since it was the mango season.