Ex-convict kills fiancée and two children

By KAMAU MAICHUHIE

Thika, Kenya: An ex-convict hacked his fiancée and two children to death before hanging himself at Makongeni estate in Thika.

According to the neighbours, a niece who was living with the family told them how Ronald Karama Mwangi led her to view the bodies in the house after the killings.

The Form Three student said she met Mwangi in Thika town who reportedly did some shopping for her. He later informed her that he had a surprise for her when they were heading home.

“He told her that he had a surprise for her back at home. When they approached their house, he blindfolded her after which he opened the door and removed the veil when they entered the house. What she saw shook her to the core,” a neighbour said.

She saw the mutilated bodies of Veronica Waithera, 40, who was the fiancée to Mwangi, Jane Muthoni, 17, her niece and a one-and-a-half-year old toddler Daniela Muthoni laying in a pool of blood.

“They had been beheaded using a sharp knife that was beside them. Their legs and hands had been tied,” said the neighbour.

He reportedly told the student to go and sleep and then to wake up early the following day to check on him in his bedroom, and thereafter inform the neighbours and the law enforcement of what had transpired.

She did as had been directed and found the man’s body dangling from the ceiling.

“It is after the niece came and informed us of what had transpired that we alerted the police,” said James Kariuki, a neighbour.

Neighbours said the couple moved to the area three months ago.

“We had not noted any differences or dispute between the couple, though it was like they were cohabiting,” Kariuki said.

Reports indicate that Mwangi was an ex-convict who was allegedly released from Kamiti Maximum Prison mysteriously early last year. It is not yet known on which basis he was freed.

Thika OCPD Paul Leting confirmed the incident and said reliable sources indicated Mwangi was an ex-convict.

He said they are in the process of trying to verify which crime he had committed and the circumstances that led to his release.