Molo student beheaded in chilling home attack

By  John Njoroge

Contributor

Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

• The body of Joy Wangui, 18, was found in a pool of blood inside the kitchen while her head was discovered along the corridor near the bathroom.
• A family member said an axe, a panga and a knife were recovered at the scene and were being treated as possible weapons used in the killing.

There was a sombre mood at Kiambaa area in Molo’s Moto village, Nakuru County, after a Form Four student was found beheaded in her family home in an attack that has shocked residents.

The body of Joy Wangui, 18, a student at Molo Senior School, was found in a pool of blood inside the kitchen on Sunday while her severed head was discovered along the corridor near the bathroom.

Police have launched a manhunt for a suspect who is well known to the family and residents and who fled after the incident.

Neighbours and relatives streamed to the homestead on Monday morning after news of the killing spread across the area.

Molo Sub-County Police Commander Justus Katana said police received information from members of the public around 2pm on Sunday that a murder had occurred in Kiambaa area, Moto village.

An axe, a panga and a knife

He identified the deceased as Ms Wangui and said investigations were under way to establish the circumstances of the killing and apprehend the suspect.

Paul Muraguri Mwangi, a member of the Nyumba Kumi initiative, said the incident had left residents traumatised.

“As the immediate neighbour, I rushed to the scene after my wife informed me that she had seen some police officers at the home where the deceased lived with her mother and siblings,” Mr Muraguri said.

Mr Muraguri said an axe, a panga and a knife were recovered at the scene and were being treated as possible weapons used in the killing.

He called on security agencies to intensify the search for the suspect and arrest him before he could harm anyone else.

Another neighbour Charles Njenga Matendo said the deceased’s brother discovered the body after returning from a family shop located a few metres from the house.

“When he attempted to get into the house through the main door, he found it locked and this prompted him to use the kitchen door. When he got in, he found the lifeless body of his sister lying inside the kitchen,” Mr Njenga said.

The younger brother then reported the incident to police as residents began streaming into the compound.

Blood stained kitchen

Speaking to the Daily Nation, Mr Njenga said residents suspected the killing could have been linked to a relationship dispute although police had not confirmed the motive.

He said the suspect was well known to the family and locals and fled the scene after the killing.

Mr Njenga urged young people to seek help when faced with relationship disputes instead of resorting to violence.

“I call on the youths to seek guidance or leave one another in peace when differences arise between them, especially those in relationships, instead of taking another person’s life,” he said.

He also urged security agencies to expedite investigations and arrest the suspect so that the family could get justice.

Mr Njenga said some words had been written on the kitchen wall and these were likely to help police with investigations.

The kitchen remained stained with blood on Monday morning as DCI officers conducted forensic investigations at the scene.

Bishop Joram Nderu who said he had known Ms Wangui since childhood described her as a humble, polite and joyous girl with a promising future.

He said the killing had left residents in shock and prayed that the family would get justice.

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