NDIA, Kenya – Police in Kirinyaga County have arrested a 40-year-old woman suspected of fatally stabbing her lover during a Christmas Day altercation at a bar in Muragara Trading Centre, Ndia Sub-County.
The suspect, identified as Edith Muthoni, is accused of killing Peter Mwangi Wanyeki, 52, following a dispute that reportedly broke out at a local entertainment joint after the two spent much of the day together.
Kirinyaga West (Ndia) Sub-County Police Commander Jos Mudavadi said detectives tracked down the suspect after she went into hiding following the incident.
“She fled the area after the stabbing, but our officers established her whereabouts and arrested her at Kandegwa village,” Mudavadi said. “She is currently being held at Baricho Police Station as investigations continue.”
According to police and eyewitness accounts, the confrontation allegedly began over a Sh60 alcohol bill before escalating into violence.
Witnesses told officers that the suspect allegedly grabbed a kitchen knife that was being used for food preparation during Christmas celebrations at the bar.
One of the residents, Florence Mureithi, told police she had been using the knife to cut potatoes moments before the incident.
“I had been using it for cooking when she suddenly grabbed it and stabbed him,” Mureithi said in her statement to police.
Wanyeki sustained a chest wound and died at the scene.
The killing shocked residents and plunged the victim’s family into mourning after they received news of his death while celebrating Christmas in the village.
“We were enjoying Christmas when we got a call informing us that my brother had been killed,” said Robert Wanyeki, the deceased’s brother. “It was shocking because we knew the woman, and she comes from a nearby village.”
Another relative, Kaburu Gatimu, said the family was relieved after the suspect’s arrest and expressed hope that justice would be served.
“He was a good driver who helped many people in the community. His life was cut short during a time we were supposed to celebrate, but instead we are mourning,” Gatimu said.
Police have since moved the body to a local mortuary as detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
