A 42-year-old man identified as Nicholas Mwiti Nthiga was arrested on the morning of October 1, 2022, after he was accused of killing Geofrey Muriungi Makara, aged 34 in Ntabuta Village, Matakiri Location of Nkondi Ward, Tharaka Nithi county.
Matakiri Location Chief Emmanuel Kibunja Njeru while confirming the incident asked residents to use and embrace law enforcement agencies to solve disputes and conflicts when they arise.
According to reports, Muriungi picked up a quarrel with the accused over fish on September 30, 2022, after the deceased approached Mwiti who was selling fish and wanted to buy but did not have money.
Muriungi would thereafter grab one fish and turn violent, vowing not to pay even after he dismissed well-wishers that had offered to pay on his behalf.
The accused is said to have picked a panga and cut Muriungi on the neck after their conflict escalated into a fight, leaving Muriungi dead.
According to previous reports, the accused has on prior occasions harmed locals using a panga (machete), and has been threatening to kill his father.
He is also said to have at one point beaten up and undressed his mother.
The body of the deceased was taken to Marimanti Hospital Mortuary awaiting autopsy and the killer’s weapon was recovered from Mwiti’s residence with blood stains on it.
This happens at a time when the county is grappling with the drought that has left over 38,000 residents across the county facing hunger.
