The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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In the village of Male in Laikipia County, mourners have gathered to console the family of a 49-year-old woman, Rebecca Muthoni, who was brutally murdered, allegedly by her younger brother, after a quarrel over Ksh 2,000 (Kenyan Shillings).
Rebecca Muthoni’s life was abruptly ended by a hammer blow to the head. The victim’s mother, Mary Wahito, who witnessed the chilling incident, is distressed and has disowned her son, Joseph Gitahi, stating that she does not wish to see him again. Gitahi surrendered to authorities at Matanya police station shortly after the incident.
Mary Wahito, aged 81, described her son as a troublemaker who has caused her distress since her husband’s death eight years ago. She recounted a verbal exchange escalating into a physical confrontation between her children, leading to the tragic death of her daughter.
The family dispute arose after Joseph Gitahi, the accused, withdrew Ksh 2,000 from the government’s monthly payout to the elderly under the Inua Jamii Programme. When questioned about the money’s use, he became agitated and threatened to kill his sister.
Gitahi confronted his sister in the kitchen, picked a quarrel, fetched a hammer, and struck her at the back of the head. The mother intervened, and Gitahi left the house, warning neighbors not to intervene. Relatives and neighbors took about three hours to respond to the distress call. Muthoni was rushed to Naromoru Level Four Hospital, where she succumbed to head injuries during treatment.
The incident has shocked the village, prompting warnings about the consequences of alcoholism and substance abuse. Local authorities acknowledge the prevalence of these issues but emphasize the need for collective efforts to address the problem effectively.
