Grief has gripped Miriru village in Murinduko, Mwea-East sub-county, Kirinyaga County, after an 80-year-old woman was sexually assaulted and murdered near a bar at Gacuria shopping centre.
The victim, Josephine Wangui Muriuki, was found naked about 45 metres from the bar where she had been drinking, her sons Joseph Gitari and Jamleck Gachoki said.
“It is unthinkable. I could not believe it until I called my sister to come and cover her with a lesso,” said a distraught Gitari.
A close friend, Lydiah Wangithi, said she had been with the deceased on Sunday evening before they parted ways.
“She bought a piece of meat before entering Gitari’s bar but never came back for it. Later, I found her murdered, with her body badly injured and her eyes gouged out by a sharp object,” Wangithi recounted.
Her granddaughter, Caroline Wanjiku Njine, described her as a peaceful woman who had no quarrels with anyone in the village.
“We want the bar owner to explain what happened. Even when the body was being taken to the mortuary, the area chief and assistant were nowhere to be seen,” said another grandchild, Anthony Chomba.
Gachoki, another son, suspected that his mother had been raped and tortured by more than one person.
“How come even the bar owner did not hear her cries for help?,” he said.
Residents of Miriru village have now called on the Kirinyaga County security team to intervene and address the mushrooming bars in the area, which they say are fueling crime.
“One of these bars was closed after a similar incident, but it was later reopened without any explanation. We want answers,” said resident Muchina.
Detectives from Wang’uru Police Station visited the scene and confirmed that investigations have been launched. They urged locals and relatives to cooperate to help bring the perpetrators to justice.
