Police in Kirinyaga County have launched a manhunt for a 40-year-old woman suspected of fatally stabbing her lover during a dispute at Muragara Shopping Centre in Ndia Sub-County on Christmas Day.
The deceased has been identified as Peter Mwangi Wanyeki, 52. He is said to have been involved in a heated argument with the suspect, Edith Muthoni, at a local bar before the confrontation turned deadly.
According to eyewitnesses, the altercation allegedly stemmed from a disagreement over a Sh60 alcohol bill. What began as a verbal exchange quickly escalated, with residents claiming the woman stabbed Wanyeki in the chest.
He died on the spot.
One witness, Florence Mureithi, told police that the suspect allegedly grabbed a knife that had been in use for food preparation during Christmas celebrations at the establishment.
“I had been using the knife to cut potatoes when she suddenly picked it up,” Mureithi said in her statement to investigators.
The incident has left Wanyeki’s family devastated. His brother, Robert Wanyeki, said the family had been celebrating Christmas at their rural home when they received the tragic news.
“We were together enjoying Christmas when I received a call informing me that my brother had been killed,” he said. “I knew the woman. She comes from Kandegwa village, not far from here.”
Another relative, Kaburu Gatimu, who arrived at the scene shortly after the incident, said he found the victim lying in a pool of blood.
“We want justice. There is no reason why she should have killed him,” Gatimu said.
Confirming the incident, Kirinyaga West Sub-County Police Commander Jos Mudavadi said officers had launched an intensive search for the suspect, who reportedly fled the scene immediately after the stabbing.
“Detectives are on the ground pursuing leads, and we urge members of the public to share any information that may help in her arrest,” Mudavadi said.
Police have since moved the body to a local mortuary as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident continue.
