Man hacks lover to death, attempts suicide

A man hacked his girlfriend to death at Mung'etho in Mirimaini estate, Juja, Kiambu county, before attempting to slit his throat.

The man identified as 30-year-old Timothy Kiptoo Kipkosgei, is said to have traced Faith Chebet to an apartment in Mung'etho where he committed the heinous act on Saturday evening.

Hezbon Litalanga, a witness, said Kipkosgei approached Chebet, 25, who had visited a friend before drawing out a knife from his bag and started chasing her.

"At around 4pm I saw a man chasing a woman believed to be his lover. They accessed our apartment through the open gate into room number 12 which was wide open. The man locked the door and what we heard later were screams from the lady," recounted Litalanga.

"When we went down the building and to inquire what was happening, we found the man had slashed the woman with a panga on the neck after stabbing her with a knife," said witness.

Juja sub-county Police Commander Michael Mwaura said Kipkosgei attempted to commit suicide using the said panga by cutting himself on the head and neck.

Mwaura said officers from Juja Police Station rushed the man to Thika Level 5 hospital.

"Beside her body, was the suspect who was also writhing in pain and bleeding profusely from the head with visible physical injuries," the Juja police boss said. The blood-stained knife and machete were recovered at the scene.

Jane Kinuthia, a Nominated MCA in Kiambu, expressed concern over the rising murder incidences in the area and appealed to police to establish a specialised unit to deal with cases of gender-based violence in the country.

"This tragic incident underscores the importance of addressing gender-based violence through both preventative measures besides having swift, effective law enforcement responses," she said.