Anguish as vocal assistant chief is shot dead along Nyeri-Laikipia border

Grief stricken residents at Gakawa Vilage in Nyeri County where the area assistant Chief's Martin Githinji Mureithi was shot dead by unknown assailants at his home compound on April 7 2016. PHOTO:JOB WERU/STANDARD

Grief struck a village on the Nyeri-Laikipia border after a chief was shot dead in cold blood. Gakawa Assistant Chief Martin Mureithi had just driven into his compound at Gwa Kania in Kieni East sub-county when unknown assailants shot and killed him.

His wife and children had reportedly travelled when the cold blood murder occurred at 8pm on Thursday night.

Mureithi had just driven into his compound, opened the gate and parked his Pajero IO before heading to the rear door when the attackers struck. Five spent cartridges were recovered from the scene. Kieni East OCPD Michael Mbaluku said after killing the administrator, the attackers stole his gun and wallet.

“It is apparent the attackers had positioned themselves ready to kill. The deceased was a licenced gun holder and his gun, whose make we could not immediately establish was stolen,” he said.

Villagers blamed Mureithi’s death on his spirited war against illicit brews, saying he was a vocal and ardent campaigner against the brewing and consumption of killer brews.

Illegal brews

Daniel Kahindo, a neighbour, said he was in his house when he heard gunshots. “I later heard people screaming and running towards the compound. We found the chief’s body sprawled on the front side of his house,” said Mr Kahindo.

Businessman and politician Njoroge Wainaina called on the Government to investigate the killing, adding, “Mureithi was a former councillor and also a businessman and we believe he was murdered because of his commitment to rid the area of criminals and brewers.”