Four murdered in Ngorongo, Gatundu North

Detectives in Kiambu are investigating circumstances that led to the brutal death of four men in Gacugi village, Gatundu North.

The four men were on Monday night attacked and killed by unknown assailants as they were heading home

According to residents, the four were on their way home at around 9pm when they were attacked by unknown people, murdered and left by the roadside.

Another man escaped death by a whisker after he managed to escape and was treated and discharged at Igegania Level Four Hospital.

The four men were all hit on the head with a blunt object.

The locals claimed that the horrid attack was executed silently since the victims didn't raise distress calls and were only discovered lying in a pool of blood by other passers-by.

"At first we thought it was a hit-and-run accident when we saw the first victim but later discovered three others along the road. Their heads had been smashed with what we suspect is a metal rod or an axe. The entire village is in shock," said resident James Mwangi.

"There was no commotion at all. The alarm was raised by residents who discovered the bodies. We are in fear because the motive of the killings is not yet known. Nothing was stolen from the victims," Mwangi said.

This is the second incident in one month where locals in the village have been attacked. Early last month a middle-aged man was attacked and killed by unknown people.

The residents averred that cases of insecurity have increased in the village and other neighbouring towns,s including Kairi, Ngorongoro, Kagambwa and Gatono.

"The daring criminals are breaking into homes and stealing house appliances, livestock and farm produce. We are not safe at all and we are worried that the culprits might even attack and harm our children especially now that they are on holiday," resident Juliana Wanjiku said.

They called on the area security apparatus to wake up from their slumberland and beef up security in the villages.

"We want the police to investigate this matter and apprehend the criminals who took the lives of innocent residents. Also, we want them to increase night patrols and flush out criminals from our villages, resident Mary Waithera said.

The locals also pleaded with local leaders led by area MP Elijah Njoroge to install security lights in the villages to boost security.

Area security officers led by Kiambu County Police Commander Muchangi Kioi yesterday visited the village as investigations into the incident kicked off.