Police in Trans-Nzoia County have launched investigations into the killing of a 68-year-old farmer whose mutilated body was discovered at his home in Chepchoina on Sunday morning.
Joseph Njenga was found dead at his residence in Kiptugut Farm, Kimase Village, Twiga area, within Endebess Constituency, hours after hosting his in-laws for a traditional ceremony.
The family had gathered at the home on Saturday after relatives visited to pay bride price for Njenga’s sister. Following the ceremony, Njenga reportedly drove some of the visitors to Kitale town before returning home at about 9pm.
His brother, John Kuria, said Njenga later spoke with his security guard before retiring to bed at around 10pm.
The farmer was found dead the following morning, with his body showing signs of severe mutilation.
Kuria said the family was shocked by the killing, particularly because there were no visible signs of forced entry into the home.
“There was no forced entry into the home. The watchman says he is not aware of how the assailants killed his boss,” Kuria said. He added that an unknown amount of money was also missing from the home.
Meanwhile, Njenga’s wife, Mary Ngethe, was reportedly found unconscious after allegedly being abducted and abandoned near the Tale-Webuye roundabout, about two kilometres from Kitale town. A motorist reportedly rescued her and rushed her to Kitale County Hospital for treatment.
Police said Ngethe had no visible injuries, leaving investigators to establish how she became unconscious and the circumstances that led to her being found at the roundabout.
Endebess OCPD Solomon Esakina confirmed Njenga’s death and said his wife and the watchman had been arrested to assist with investigations. “Detectives have launched investigations, and several people, including the deceased’s wife and watchman, are being interrogated,” Esakina said.
Investigators are seeking to establish what happened at the home between the time Njenga returned from Kitale and when his body was discovered. The absence of signs of forced entry is also expected to form part of the investigation, as police work to establish how the assailants may have accessed the compound. The body was removed from the scene and taken to Crystal Hospital Morgue in Kitale.
IPOA Vice Chairperson Ann Wanjiku, who visited the scene, called on police to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible for the killing are brought to justice.
Mau Mau Associates General Director James Mahuria also condemned the killing, saying it had heightened fear among residents and calling for increased efforts to address insecurity in the county.
Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding Njenga’s death and the events involving his wife remain ongoing.
