Murang'a woman, 86, found dead on her bed as police probe suspected sexual assault

Police in Murang’a County have launched investigations into the suspected murder of an 86-year-old woman whose body was found inside her home in circumstances that investigators believe may point to a possible sexual assault.

Warning: This story contains details that some readers may find disturbing.

The deceased, identified by police as Virginia Wanjiru Gitau, was found dead inside her semi-permanent house at Karima Village in Ndutumi Sub-Location, Kiria Location, Kahuro Sub-County.

According to police, officers responded to the scene after receiving a report on Monday evening.

A preliminary examination, police said, found no visible external injuries on the body.

However, the woman was reportedly found partially undressed, with blood-stained vaginal discharge, leading investigators to consider the possibility that she may have been sexually assaulted before her death.

Police said the woman lived with her five-year-old grandson, who reportedly told investigators that during the night he saw an unidentified adult man enter the house and walk into the bedroom they shared.

The child also reportedly told investigators that he heard the deceased scream.

When the woman failed to wake up the following morning, the child alerted a neighbour, who in turn informed the local administration.

As investigations got underway, members of the public apprehended a man they suspected might have been linked to the incident.

Police rescued the man from an angry mob and took him into custody at Kahuro Police Station, where he remains as investigations continue.

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) processed and documented the scene before the body was moved to Muriranjas Sub-County Hospital Mortuary for preservation and a post-mortem examination.

Police said investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death. No one has been charged, and the man in custody is being held pending the outcome of the investigations.

Meanwhile, police in Embu County said they had arrested a 61-year-old man in connection with the death of his neighbour following a violent incident in Mbeere North Sub-County.

The suspect is reported to have surrendered to the area assistant chief after the alleged killing of Njue Kahara, with both men said to be residents of Kirigo Village in Ishiara.

According to police, the incident was reported on Monday by the Assistant Chief of Iria Itune Sub-Location, Margaret Ikamba.

A team of officers from Ishiara Police Station, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and crime scene investigators from Embu County visited the scene, which police said was within the suspect's compound.

Investigators reported finding the deceased lying on his back with multiple injuries, including wounds to the left side of the chin, the head, waistline and right elbow.

During a search of the suspect's house, police said officers recovered several exhibits they believe may be linked to the incident, including a blood-stained panga, two arrows and a bow.

Police said the suspect later surrendered to the assistant chief and was escorted to Ishiara Police Station, where he remains in custody as investigations continue.

The body of the deceased was moved to the Ishiara Level 4 Hospital mortuary for preservation pending a post-mortem examination.

Police said investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and the motive behind the fatal attack.