Shock has engulfed Mukithi village in Kiaga sub-location, Kirinyaga Central Constituency, Kirinyaga County, after a 60-year-old man is alleged to have killed his wife before fleeing.
According to family members led by the deceased’s aunt, Lydiah Wakaria, the suspect, Patrick Manegene, aged 60, went to her homestead, about 500 metres away, and told her he had killed his wife, Rose Njeri, aged 43.
“I could not believe it. I accompanied him up to where he had killed Njeri. I found Njeri lying in their incomplete house,” Wakaria said.
Wakaria said that after showing her the body, which was in their unfinished house, the suspect vanished. She then called the village elder, Caesar Karumba Karani.
Simon Maina, the Kiaga assistant chief, arrived after an alarm was raised and called detectives from Kerugoya Police Station. Officers at the scene said the deceased had serious injuries on her neck and right leg.
“We are treating her husband as the main suspect, and a manhunt for him is already underway. Don’t take the law into your own hands,” said a police officer from Kagumo Police Station.
The deceased’s brother, Joseph Muchiri, said the couple had long-standing family disputes and often fought at night.
“We are worried about the rising number of murder cases in this area. The other day, villagers set fire to Mukiri’s house after he allegedly killed his friend,” Charles Kibara added.
