Businessman Humphrey Mwai, 48, disappeared mysteriously from his home in Matandara village, Kirinyaga County, on December 22, only to be found brutally murdered two days later on Christmas eve.
Mr Mwai’s body was discovered dumped outside his shop, located within his home compound, under circumstances that police believe point to abduction and prolonged torture before his death.
The deceased bore severe injuries to the neck, ears and head, suggesting he was tortured before being killed. Family members said he was last seen alive last Monday, the day he went missing.
“When our son failed to return home, we searched for him without success,” said his father Dunson Mute.
Mr Mute said the family eventually suspended the search, hoping he would resurface alive.
On Wednesday at around 6 am, residents who had gone to buy items from the shop stumbled upon the body dumped outside the premises. They fled in panic and alerted the police.
“We suspect the killers abducted our son, held him somewhere for two days and then murdered him before dragging his lifeless body outside the shop,” Mr Mute said.
The family said they were still in shock and appealed to detectives to thoroughly investigate the killing.
“We want to know who killed our son and why,” said Mr Samuel Kinyua, the deceased’s brother-in-law.
Relatives described Mr Mwai as a hardworking and dedicated businessman whose life was cut short by criminals whose motives are yet to be established.
“He was very hardworking and we admired him. We had planned to celebrate Christmas with him, and he had promised to host us, but sadly he was murdered just a day before,” Mr Kinyua said.
A resident, Mr Jackson Gichobi, said Mr Mwai had multiple stab wounds and a crushed head, suggesting the attackers used knives before delivering fatal blows.
“Detectives should leave no stone unturned in this matter,” Mr Gichobi said.
Mwea East police boss Stephen Okal said the case is being treated as murder and assured the family that the suspects would be brought to justice.
“Investigations have been launched, and we urge the family to remain patient as we pursue all leads,” Mr Okal said.
He added that detectives are tracing Mr Mwai’s movements from the day he went missing and urged residents and family members to share any information that could assist investigations.
