Police in Kirinyaga County have arrested a man accused of killing his wife following a disagreement over the sale of a cow.
The suspect, identified as Daniel Gichira from Gichugu, is alleged to have murdered his 48-year-old wife, Ann Nyawira, before disposing off her body near Kabare Shopping Centre along the Kutus–Kimunye Road, about 500 metres from their home.
Nyawira was reported missing on Saturday, prompting concern among relatives who were unable to reach her.
Her brother, David Ndege, said the family sought answers from Gichira after their attempts to contact her failed.
“He told us she had travelled to her sister’s home in Mwea,” Ndege said. “We went there looking for her but she was nowhere to be found.”
The family was preparing to officially report her disappearance when they received calls about the discovery of a woman’s body dumped in the area.
They rushed to the scene and confirmed it was Nyawira. The discovery angered residents, many of whom stormed the couple’s home and found Gichira seated inside watching television.
“He was just watching TV as if nothing had happened,” said a resident identified as Wakabari.
An angry crowd attempted to attack the suspect, but traffic police officers who were patrolling the area intervened and rescued him before he could be harmed.
Gichugu Sub-County Police Commander Johnson Wachira confirmed the arrest, noting that detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had taken over the case.
“A weapon suspected to have been used in the murder was recovered at the suspect’s homestead,” Wachira said, adding that investigators are working to reconstruct the events surrounding the killing.
Family members said the disputed cow belonged to Nyawira and had been acquired through a women’s group savings scheme.
“Ann worked hard for that cow,” said her sister Nancy Wambui. “She got it through our women’s group and refused to allow it to be sold.”
Nyawira’s body has been taken to Kerugoya County Referral Hospital mortuary for postmortem examination, while the suspect remains in custody at Kianyaga Police Station awaiting court proceedings.
