A heart-wrenching tragedy has struck the quiet village of Mugaari in Kiambere ward, Embu County, following the discovery of the mutilated body of Jane Kilonzi, a 44-year-old mother of seven.
On the morning of Wednesday, September 25, 2024, her lifeless body was found floating in a seasonal river just a short distance from her home, sending shockwaves through the community.
The horrific nature of the crime has left the villagers devastated. Kilonzi’s body bore severe injuries, including deep cuts to her head and legs, and in an especially grotesque detail, her eyes had been gouged out. The brutality of the attack has led local authorities to believe that it was not just a random act of violence, but one committed with premeditation and a personal motive.
The grim discovery was first made by local residents, who immediately alerted village elder Jonathan Musui. Musui, in turn, notified the authorities, and an investigation was promptly launched. It quickly became apparent that Kilonzi’s lover, with whom she had been living since the death of her husband, was the prime suspect in the murder. According to Musui, the couple had been embroiled in a tumultuous relationship, with frequent arguments and domestic disturbances being reported by neighbors and family members.
Kilonzi’s niece, Catherine Njoki, shed light on the troubled relationship between her aunt and her lover. She told TUKO.co.ke that Kilonzi had expressed multiple times her desire to leave the man due to his irresponsible behavior and excessive drinking. “She had hinted several times that she wanted to leave him because he was a drunkard and irresponsible,” Njoki said. The night before her aunt’s death, the couple had reportedly had another intense quarrel, leading many to suspect that this argument may have escalated into the tragic event.
The suspect, who remains unnamed by authorities, is currently at large, and a manhunt has been initiated to bring him to justice. The police are appealing to the public to come forward with any information that may assist in locating him. The severity of the crime has sparked outrage in the community, with many calling for swift justice for Kilonzi and her grieving family.
The body of the deceased has been moved to Embu Level 5 Hospital for an autopsy, which will provide further insights into the exact cause of death and the extent of the injuries she sustained. The postmortem results are expected to play a crucial role in the ongoing investigation.
This tragic incident has once again highlighted the rising cases of domestic violence and gender-based violence in Kenya. The brutal killing of Kilonzi is just one of many similar incidents that have been reported in recent years.
According to a report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), cases of domestic violence in Kenya surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, with many victims finding themselves trapped in abusive relationships. Despite efforts by the government and non-governmental organizations to address the issue, the scourge of domestic violence continues to claim innocent lives, leaving families and communities in anguish.
Kilonzi’s death has left a deep wound in her community, with her seven children now orphaned and struggling to come to terms with the loss of their mother. As the investigation continues, the community of Mugaari remains united in their grief, with hopes that the perpetrator will soon be brought to justice.
In a similar incident in Siaya County, another family is mourning the death of Pamela Atieno, a 60-year-old grandmother who was found dead in a water pan after being reported missing.
0 Comments