Detectives in Kirinyaga County have arrested a 24-year-old man accused of murdering his lover and burying her body in a septic tank at their family homestead in Ngurubani town, Mwea East sub-county.
Mwea East sub-county police commander confirmed that the suspect, Brian Wambugu Mwangi, was arrested Friday night while hiding in Mwariko Estate, within Ngurubani town.
According to the police boss, Wambugu has been taken to Wang’uru Police Station for questioning in connection with the murder.
“We have also arrested two individuals who were hiding him before we flushed him out,” detectives said.
The gruesome discovery was made by a housemaid while cleaning the toilets at the suspect’s family compound.
Investigations reveal that the murder likely took place last Thursday.
The suspect’s father, Joseph Mwangi, told police that his son had struggled with education and frequently clashed with the family over business matters.
“He did not complete his university studies. I have tried to take him for rehabilitation and counselling without success. On that day, he demanded a share of my butchery business, but I refused,” said Mr. Mwangi.
There was confusion during the arrest as tenants at the Mwariko Estate plot did not know what was happening, with the suspect having been hidden by the landlord’s son.
In his confession, the suspect told detectives that the woman he murdered was a “one-day” girlfriend.
“I took her to my house after she fought with her boyfriend in a local bar. She was left alone and very drunk. After we entered my house, a fight broke out between us. I was shocked to discover she had died after I hit her,” the suspect said.
Wambugu admitted he did not ask for the woman’s name or where she came from, only noticing a bangle on her hand labeled “Rose.”
Detectives have announced that a forensic autopsy will be conducted to help establish the victim’s identity. They are also appealing to members of the public to assist in identifying and locating the deceased’s family.
