Family murder that shocked Laikipia village
At Male village in Laikipia County, mourners gather to pray and condole with the family of a 49-year-old woman, the victim of a cold-blooded murder reportedly executed by her younger brother following a quarrel over Sh2,000.
A few metres from the temporary tent where mourners are conducting prayers and funeral meetings, locals converse in hushed tones, trying to come to terms with the brutal murder of Rebecca Muthoni last Saturday.
A hammer blow to the head abruptly cut short the life of the mother of four.
Her ailing and ageing mother, Ms Mary Wahito, who witnessed the chilling incident is distraught and says she does not wish to see her son near her again.
“As long as I live, I will never again consider him my son. Let the Government deal with him in whichever way they deem fit knowing that none of his family members will support him in the court case,” the distraught mother says.
Soon after the incident, the suspect, Mr Joseph Gitahi, 45, surrendered to the authorities at Matanya police station, five kilometres away.
He was arraigned on Monday to face murder charges but did not take a plea following a request by police for more time to enable them to complete investigations that will include post-mortem tests and a mental assessment on the main suspect.
Back to the home of the accused, his mother describes her fourth-born child, now aged 45 and still a bachelor, as a troublemaker who has never given her peace since her husband died eight years ago.
She recalls how a heated verbal exchange between her children degenerated into a physical confrontation and a tragic end to her daughter’s life.
“My second-born daughter is married in the neighbourhood and on this particular day had visited me to assist in general clean-up and cooking, something she has been doing for a while now. As we were seated in the kitchen his brother came, picked a quarrel with her sister and it ended tragically,” recalls 81-year-old Ms Wahito.
She adds that a day earlier, Mr Gitahi, being the trusted caregiver to his mother, had withdrawn Sh2,000 – the monthly payout by the Government to the elderly under the Inua Jamii Programme.
Ms Wahito remembers his son turning wild when asked how he had spent the money and threatening to kill his sister.
“He walked into the kitchen where we were seated, picked a quarrel and then walked out to fetch a hammer from the store. He hit Muthoni at the back of the head sending her sprawling to the floor, unconscious. The son was still determined to hit her again but I intervened,” explains the mother.
The mother recounts how she picked her metallic walking stick and hit his son on the back forcing him to step out of the house, where he warned neighbours not to answer the distress call lest he kills them.
It took about three hours for relatives and neighbours to gather courage and respond to the distress call. Muthoni was rushed to Naromoru Level Four Hospital, where she succumbed to head injuries while undergoing treatment.
Muthoni’s husband Peter Gachure says that on that particular day, he had travelled to Naromoru to send some food stuff to their daughter, who is a college student in Nyeri.
“We woke up normally and shared the day’s responsibilities. My wife was to visit my mother-in-law to help in washing her clothes and cooking while I packed some cabbages and potatoes to send to our third-born daughter in Nyeri town,” he says.
It is while in Naromoru town that he was informed that his wife was badly injured and was asked to head to the hospital.
“On arrival at the hospital, I forced my way to the emergency room and pushed the medics aside, held my unconscious wife closely and some instinct alerted me she would never wake up again,” recalled Mr Gachure.
The incident has sent shockwaves across the sleepy village that has now been thrust into infamy with villagers warning that such incidents are likely to happen in the future unless authorities deal decisively with alcoholism as well as drug and substance abuse.
Ms Alice Mwai, a village elder, says such an incident where a brother kills a sister in front of their mother has never been witnessed in the locality in the past.
“I have watched some bizarre murder incidents on television and never imagined it could happen in my village. We should all join efforts to fight drug and substance abuse which is slowly eroding society’s morals,” notes Ms Mwai.
Tigithi location chief Wilson Thuo admits that alcoholism and drug abuse are rampant in the area but accuses parents of failing to cooperate with authorities in eradicating the vice.
“Some family members are protective of their kin and alert them of an impending raid by police. We cannot win this war without cooperation from citizens,” warns Mr Thuo.
Shows
See AllAM Live
AM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.
Business Redefined
Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.
Comedies
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Documentaries
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Entertainment
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Full Episodes
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Gumzo La Sato
Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.
Health Diary
Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.
Letter To My Younger Self
Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.
Nation Reports
Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.
One Health Lens Podcast
Discussing health matters and human stories from Kenya and across Africa. We talk big picture from people to policy, ecosystems, and everything in between. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onehealthlens
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.
Primetime
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Speaking of GEN Z
Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.
Sport On
Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.
Tech-over
The extent of technological growth is beyond mere acknowledgment; it has seamlessly integrated into our daily existence. A few years ago, the notion of paying electricity bills through mobile money or recharging with 'tokens' in Kenya seemed inconceivable. Online product sales were considered distant, and artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping various facets of our lives. Amidst these technological leaps, those with a solid understanding of tech can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a sustainable livelihood. Tech over Show aims to be the platform facilitating discussions among thought leaders, innovators, tech companies, and the government, addressing challenges and opportunities in Kenya's thriving tech industry.
Thamani
Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.
The Politalk podcast
This is The Politalk podcast. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.
The Trend
A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.
The trend podcast
The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA
The Wicked Edition
The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience
Trending
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Twende
Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.
Unscripted
This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.
VIP Access
VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.
WADR
This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.
When death do us part
In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.
Your World
Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.