Chief in Kirinyaga stabbed to death by wife in domestic tiff

Shock has gripped residents of Githure village in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County after an assistant chief was stabbed to death, allegedly by his wife, following a domestic quarrel.

The administrator, Denis Magu, 36, was pronounced dead on arrival at Nuclear Medical clinic after he was allegedly attacked by his wife on Wednesday night.

According to witnesses, Mr Magu picked up a quarrel with his wife over unknown reasons around 9pm. The dispute degenerated into a physical fight which resulted in the death of the Nyangeni Sub-Location assistant chief.

Witnesses narrated how the assailant took a kitchen knife during the fierce fight and struck the administrator on the left side of his chest, sending him sprawling down.

Relatives responding to distress calls found Mr Magu lying in a pool of blood and rushed him to the hospital but he succumbed to his injuries on arrival.

Suspect arrested

Following the fatal attack, police drove to the scene and arrested the suspect, a businesswoman, and locked her up at Githure Police Post. She was later transferred to Kianyaga Police Station and held there for questioning.

When news of the grisly killing of the administrator went round, terrified residents flocked the clinic and police had a rough time trying to control them.

"We are shocked to hear that our assistant chief is no more," one of the residents, Mr Kennedy Muriithi, said.

The victim's mother, Rose Wanjiru, was also equally shocked. Ms Wanjiru, a nominated MCA, said she was going to sleep after praying when she received the sad news.

Call from daughter-in-law

“As I was going to bed, my daughter-in-law called and told me to rush to her house and see what had happened to the administrator. I hurriedly went to the scene and, sadly, I found my son lying unconscious on the floor," she recalled.

Ms Wanjiru said she could not tell what sparked the quarrel that led to the fatal stabbing of her son, who was recently employed by the government.

The nominated MCA said the couple had lived peacefully and never quarrelled.

“Since my daughter-in-law was married by my son 15 years ago, she had been behaving well. She had never fought with her husband for all those years and what has happened now has left everyone in a shock," she said.

Ms Wanjiru is now crying for justice following what transpired.

"I have lost my son and all what I desire is to see justice done," she said.

Ngariama Ward MCA Erastus Ireri condemned the killing and called on the police to get to the bottom of the matter.

He lamented that it was sad domestic violence had claimed the life of a government officer.

Mr Ireri said the residents were unhappy and demanded that the suspect be thoroughly interrogated and charged in court.

The MCA described the administrator as a hard-working person who did not deserve to die painfully.

He asked couples to always dialogue or seek services of counsellors when they differ on various issues to avoid such fatal attacks which leave children suffering.

Kirinyaga East Sub-County police boss Anthony Wanjuu said it is suspected the couple differed over money paid for coffee before the fight broke out.

“We have launched investigations to establish whether the couple fought over coffee cash or not. Detectives are pursuing the matter," he said.

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