Man kills 45-year-old woman, locks her three-month-old baby in suit case

Police are looking for a 35-year-old man who allegedly murdered a mother of three children on Tuesday night in Rwagaini village in Othaya.

The suspect reportedly strangled the woman with a steel cord at around 2am before locking her three-month-old baby in a suitcase and later went into hiding.

Neighbours claimed the casual labourer killed the 45-year-old woman, with whom he was romantically involved, after learning that he was not the father of her baby. 

A village elder who visited the house moments after the woman was strangled claimed she found her in a pool of blood gasping for breath.

“The horrifying sight prompted me to contact the chief who in turn told me to call Munyange Police Station. Unfortunately, officers at the station said they could not come since their vehicle had no fuel,” said Zipporah Wairimu.

No help

Ms Wairimu said some locals, who were willing to take the deceased to hospital, changed their mind as soon as they saw the terrifying condition she was in.

“People hesitated to offer a helping hand for fear the woman would die in their hands while en route to hospital. She ended up dying as we watched. It was very traumatising,” Wairimu said.

The baby’s cry from the suitcase led to her rescue, and is now in the custody of the deceased’s sister.

Othaya OCPD Joseph Mwika, however, denied claims that there was no police vehicle to take the deceased to hospital.

“We always have several vehicles with fuel at our service. The allegations are untrue because the earliest report we got of the incident was 6:30am,” Mwika told The Standard.

He said police are following crucial leads which they hope will enable them nab the suspect.