Ten-year-old girl watches as dad is murdered in Kenya

NYERI: A 46-year-old businessman was yesterday shot dead by unknown gunmen at Kamuyu village.

John Mwangi, alias Planner, met his death at midnight after gunmen broke into his house and shot him repeatedly in the presence of his 10-year-old daughter.

"We were about to retire to bed when four men suddenly broke the door of our house and stormed in. My father struggled with them before they shot him," said the distraught minor.

The girl's screams attracted the attention of relatives and neighbours but none dared respond for fear of encountering the gunmen.

"Two of the people who killed our loved one are well known to us," said a relative who sought anonymity.

Speaking to The Standard, OCPD Charles Rotich said he too heard the gunshots and immediately dispatched officers but it took a long time for them to establish the exact location.

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"No one called the police to report the incident or even provide us with directions. We, however, have crucial leads and are already pursuing the four suspects," he said.

Family members could hardly contain their grief as police took away the deceased's body.

Although the motive of the killing has not been established, Mwangi's kin claim it could have been occasioned by business rivalry.

NOT RELENTING

Meanwhile, the tussle between county officials and traders over new levies has intensified with neither side showing any sign of relenting.

So far, different groups of business people have gone to court protesting the hiked fees, the latest being butchery operators.

Just like their counterparts, the meat vendors have obtained a court order barring the county government from enforcing the new charges until their petition is heard and determined.