A 30-year-old man from Muthigini village in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County, died after he was attacked by villagers on Monday night.
The man, nicknamed ‘Matiba’, is said to have knocked on his mother’s door at around 10 p.m. Little did he know it would be his last day alive. His mother reportedly did not wake up, and neighbours who heard the knocking suspected it was a thief and attacked him.
The man later died in hospital on Wednesday night.
Some residents, who requested anonymity, said ‘Matiba’ was attacked after repeatedly knocking on his mother’s house. Others claimed they suspected he intended to attack his mother, which is why they assaulted him.
One resident added: “There were rumours that Matiba and his brother had been harassing their mother and once they heard the door knock, they decided to go for Matiba. The mother cried for help, that’s why we went there.”
According to Kirinyaga East Sub-County Police Commander Johnson Wachira, the mother reported that after hearing the knock, she did not hear anyone speak. She was later shocked to find her son lying outside bleeding and rushed him to hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
“We were told the man died on arrival,” the police boss said.
Wachira said police are pursuing those who attacked the deceased, adding that once arrested they will be charged with murder.
A relative, who also sought anonymity, said the woman has two sons – 30-year-old Waweru Gachoki and his elder brother – and their father died over five years ago.
“The two boys are often seen here at Muthigini shopping centre. Villagers should not have killed Waweru; they should have allowed him to call his mother. I thought he was hungry and might have wanted food, as he is not married,” the relative said.
A local pastor condemned the incident, saying killing is not the solution.
“People can reform. The community should not act on emotion. Police should deal ruthlessly with the killers. How could you kill?” the pastor asked.
Gichugu Police Commander Johnson Wachira warned residents against taking the law into their own hands.
“Human life should be handled with dignity,” Wachira said.
Waweru’s body is preserved at Gakwegori Mortuary in Embu, awaiting a postmortem.
