Police have arrested a man in connection with the murder of his wife in Meru on July 11, 2024.
According to a statement from the police, the person of interest identified as Anthony Mwenda was smoked from his hideout in Wempa in Murang’a South.
The unfortunate event of Millicent Mwendwa’s death in the Mugwe location was reported by the area chief who noted that the person of interest fled their home after leaving his wife killed in cold blood.
He indicated that neighbours were drawn to the home after a scuffle ensued between the two on July 11, 2024, after which the person of interest was reported to have fled.
Lifeless body
Neighbours arrived to find the lifeless body of Millicent bearing deep cuts on the head and legs. Also retrieved from the scene of the killing were a rungu, a whip and a blood-soaked panga which are believed to be the weapons used in the crime.
“In the unfortunate homicide reported by the chief – Mugwe location on July 11, 2024, the suspect turned against his wife of two years following a family dispute, inflicting fatal cuts on her head and legs. Neighbours whose attention was drawn to the ruction arrived at Mwenda’s house to find a profusely bleeding Millicent, and beside her, a Maasai rungu, a black whip and a panga all soaked in blood. More blood on the wall and floor evidenced the young lady’s struggle to escape with her life,” a statement from the DCI read on November 12, 2024.
Police also said that a joint operation between the Homicide Department and the Crime Research detectives led to the nabbing of the person of interest in Murang’a South, several kilometres away from Chuka, where he is believed to be a person of interest in the killing of his wife.
Police on femicide cases
The case adds to the growing list of gender-based cases where women lost their lives.
In Nairobi, a mother was killed alongside his daughter and niece and their bodies were discovered in different places.
The woman identified as Waris Daud, her daughter Amina Abdirashid and niece Nuseiba Dahir who was just 12 years of age at the time of the incident were reported missing before their bodies were discovered at Mahakos, Bahati and Parklands.
According to the Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat, 97 cases of femicide were reported in the last three months alone.
