Puzzle of businessman killed night before opening supermarket

The family of a city trader who was killed last Friday night has alleged foul play.

Eliud Owuor was stabbed several times in the neck shortly after closing a premise in Lucky Summer estate where he planned to establish a supermarket. The shop was fully stocked and ready for opening the next day.

The family now claims the attack could have been a culmination of a series of incidents of harassment on their kin. This, they said, could have been instigated by his competitors who wanted to stop him from advancing his business.

“On numerous occasions, police have raided one of his business premises, only to find that he had the requisite documents. At one time, his business permit expired on Friday and the police came to raid the premise on Saturday, begging the question, who is behind the regular raids?” asked his elder brother, Malachi Owuor.

He claimed Eliud's killing was meant to cripple his venture.

Malachi, who also operates a business in the area, said he learnt about his brother’s death through a phone call from a neighbour.

On the fateful day, he said they closed their shops at 11pm and he decided to join friends for drinks at a nearby joint while Eliud proceeded to dropped off a male worker who resides near the business.

After dropping him off, Eliud reportedly went home but left in a hurry after a few minutes. He did not carry his wallet.

At around 11.45pm, Malachi said he received a call from the owner of the joint, informing him to go outside, where there had been an incident.

On reaching the scene, he found the body of his brother lying in a pool of blood.

According to Eliud's wife Jackline Syombua, he left in a hurry, saying he was going back to close the shop since he had been informed that he had left it open.

One of his workers identified as Mike, whom he dropped off on the fateful day, said they had ensured that all the doors were closed before they left.

Nairobi police boss Philip Ndolo yesterday said a team of detectives was investigating the murder.

"We will take necessary action in due course. Investigations are ongoing to know the motive and those behind it," Mr Ndolo said.

Since the day Eliud Owuor was killed, police have declared a curfew in the area from 9pm.

Residents claimed officers were beating male youth found outdoors after 9pm.

They complained that police were taking advantage of the situation to harass innocent people.