Emotions run high at burial of slain Kirinyaga woman and her 4 children

Emotions ran high on Friday as five members of a family, who were hacked to death following a domestic quarrel, were buried at Karuangi village in Kirinyaga County.

The victims, who were killed the same day, were laid to rest in one grave. Tears flowed as the caskets carrying the remains of the victims were lowered to the grave.

Millicent Muthoni, 38, and her four children, Nelly Wawira,13, Gibson Bundi, 5, Wambui Murage, 3, and  one-year-old Clifton Njuki were killed two weeks ago at Gathata village in Gichugu Constituency.

Mr Paul Murage Njuki, the alleged assailant was the family head who was supposed to protect them.

Relatives condemned the fatal attacks and demanded justice for the five.

"We want the government to ensure that the person who killed our sister and her children be tried and punished," Mr Patrick Njiru, a relative, said, adding that the victims did not deserve such a painful death.  

"We are still mourning the deaths of our dear ones. What happened will remain etched in our minds forever," he said.

Gichugu Member of Parliament Gichimu Githinji said he learnt of the killings with great shock.

"We have lost five innocent lives and the offender should not go unpunished," said the legislator.

He underscored the need to establish a counselling centre for parents to avoid such incidents.

Mr Njuki became violent after he allegedly differed with his wife. He allegedly took an axe and struck her dead before turning on the children. He later surrendered to the police.

Neighbours, who were responding to distress calls, found the victims’ bodies lying in pools of blood.  

 They said the couple had lived peacefully. 

"It was the first time for us to hear such a dispute from the couple," one of the neighbours John Njora said.

An axe believed to have been used to kill the victims was retrieved from Murubara River where it had been thrown.