Three people murdered in Nakuru during Christmas celebrations

Angry residents of Elementaita, in Gilgil Sub-County, protesting outside Elementaita Police Station on December 26, 2024, accusing police officers of negligence. The protest followed the discovery of a 72-year-old widow who was raped and brutally murdered by being struck on the head with a blunt object inside her home. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Three people were killed in separate incidents in Bahati and Gilgil sub-counties, Nakuru County, during Christmas celebrations.

In one incident, a senior Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officer was arrested for killing a 74-year-old man at a police station on suspicion of having an affair with his wife.

Bahati Sub-County Police Commander Lilies Wachira stated that the officer, stationed in Isiolo, killed Moris Gachanja at the Githioro Police Station canteen on Wednesday evening while they were consuming alcohol.

“The officer allegedly assaulted the victim. Police intervened to rescue the deceased and rushed him to hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries,” Wachira said.

Sources said the officer suspected his wife was having an affair and was determined to confront the man.

“When the couple entered the canteen, they began drinking. Shortly after, Gachanja arrived. The officer's wife introduced him to her husband, and Gachanja praised the woman, saying she had been well cared for,” the source revealed.

Separately, in Bahati, the body of a woman was discovered inside a gunny bag with some of her body parts missing.

The unidentified woman's remains were found on Wednesday night in a house in Ngomongo village.

Edward Munyuku, a neighbour, said the discovery was made when a woman from the household asked for assistance to take her ailing husband to the hospital.

“When we arrived, she searched for the houseboy (a step-grandson) to get the gate keys but found his room locked. While searching, she noticed a sack with blood stains. Initially, she thought it was an animal slaughtered by the grandson, but upon closer inspection, she discovered human legs,” Munyuku explained.

The police were called to the scene and found the remains to be those of a young woman.

Wachira confirmed that the suspect, the houseboy, was missing and remains at large.

“The deceased was a middle-aged woman. Her eyes and one breast had been removed and placed in the sack. We urge residents to remain calm and seek peaceful ways to resolve domestic disputes to avoid such heinous acts,” Wachira said.

In Gilgil, irate residents stormed the police station demanding justice for a 72-year-old woman who was raped and murdered.

Priscilla Wabuya, a local resident, said the victim’s body was discovered by her daughter, who had gone to celebrate Christmas with her mother.

“The daughter found bloodstains and unusual footprints near the house. She alerted neighbours, and together they found the body with injuries to the face,” Wabuya narrated.

Wabuya added that the deceased had been heard praying into the early hours of the morning, lamenting increasing insecurity in the area.

Another resident, Josiah Njuguna, issued an ultimatum to the authorities, threatening community action if no arrests were made.

“We will launch an operation dubbed ‘Linda Mama, Linda Msichana’ (Protect Mothers, Protect Girls) if the situation is not addressed,” Njuguna warned.

Gilgil Sub-County Police Commander Winstone Mwakio confirmed the arrest of a suspect on Thursday morning in connection with the killing of Margaret Wangoi.

“The incident occurred three kilometres from the police post, while the suspect lived just 100 metres from the deceased’s house. Residents’ grievances are genuine and will be thoroughly investigated,” Mwakio assured.