An investigator at a crime scene [Photo: Courtesy]

Police are holding 15 family members in connection with the gruesome killing of a 58-year-old man. Detectives probing the incident believe that the deceased, Kaingu Kombe Yeri, a father of seven, was murdered on Thursday night while sleeping at his home in Mwamleka 'C' village in Mariakani.

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The elderly man who had deep cuts on his face, head and left arm was residing in his two-room house while his wife is said to be living in a different house in the same compound. Mariakani police boss Ezekiel Chepkwony told Sunday Standard that the 15 suspects include Sidi Kaingu, the wife of the deceased.

Detectives probing the incident say there were many inconsistencies in circumstances surrounding the murder of the old man. Chepkwony revealed that the deceased, who was found lying on his bed in a pool of blood, had earlier been accused by family members of bewitching his sister's daughter who has mental challenges.

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Strangely, the family reported the incident a day later, further raising eyebrows. "We have 15 family members who are in police custody as we continue investigations into this killing," said the police boss. "We have crucial leads and those found culpable will face murder charges," said Chepkwony. Some killings of this nature, according to the investigators, may be schemed by some family members who are keen on inheriting property from the elderly.