Nyandarua police are holding a man following the brutal killing of his wife at the Vatican Estate in Ol Kalou town, Nyandarua County.
Neighbours discovered the beheaded body of Maureen Nyaboke, a mother of three, in her house on Tuesday evening. Investigators believe the killer took advantage of the heavy afternoon rains to commit the crime unnoticed.
Ruth Khavai, a neighbour, said a child who had witnessed the incident led her to the scene but was too young to fully explain what she had seen.
“It was raining heavily but when it subsided, I went outside to collect a bucket I had left to gather rainwater. That’s when a child ran to me, insisting I follow her to Maureen’s house. She couldn’t explain what she had seen, so I followed her. That’s when I found my friend’s beheaded body lying in a pool of blood on a seat. The killer must have known the rain would mask any noise,” said Ms Khavai.
Her screams attracted neighbours to the scene. They said Nyaboke, who sold boiled eggs in Ol Kalou town, had just returned home from work.
“Criminal activities, especially housebreaking and theft, have become common in the estate, but we never expected such a brutal murder. We are in pain. Maureen was friendly and jovial, always willing to help,” added Khavai.
Nyandarua Central sub-County Police Commander Sammy Kamau confirmed that the victim’s husband is in custody to assist with investigations.
“He was picked up from the scene after giving contradicting information. He is not a suspect but DCI officers need to establish whether they had marital issues or if he might know someone who would want to harm his wife,” said Mr Kamau.
Police recovered a panga from the scene, but preliminary investigations ruled it out as the murder weapon. Officers suspect a much sharper object was used to behead the victim.
Nancy Moraa, also a vendor in Ol Kalou, said she was with Maureen just hours before her death.
“We sell boiled eggs together. I was with her in town, and she left when it started to rain, saying she needed to rush home to check on the children. I’m in shock. I rushed to her house when I heard what happened and found her body covered in blood,” said Moraa.
Another resident, Clare Wangui, expressed shock and sadness, describing the victim as someone she knew and often bought from.
“We urge the police to expedite the investigation. We need to know who murdered our friend and why. This is the second gender-based violence case in this estate recently. Just last week, a girl was raped and brutally injured. She’s now fighting for her life at JM Memorial Hospital in Ol Kalou, and no arrests have been made. Arresting Maureen’s killers will help restore our sense of safety. We also want enhanced police patrols, day and night,” said Wangui.
Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau condemned the murder, noting that such cases are rising in the county.
“We are seeing increasing incidents of women and girls being attacked almost every week. Last month, a minor was defiled and murdered, her body dumped in a dam in Kinangop Constituency. Another rape victim is currently in critical condition at JM Memorial Hospital. We must find a lasting solution to this menace,” said Gitau.
