Police probe raid at Kigumo MP's rural home

Kigumo MP Jamleck kamau (in suit) and other people at the scene where his cows were found dead in his Makomboki home in Murang'a County. (Photo: Boniface Gikandi/Standard)

Police in Murang'a County are investigating a raid on the rural home of Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau on Saturday night.

The raiders killed two dairy cows with machetes after poisoning them, according to the MP's neighbours.

There was panic in the lawmaker's residence in Makomboki village after the carcasses were discovered early Sunday morning.

Mr Kamau has asked the public to stop speculating but wait for the outcome of police investigations.

"Let us wait for a report from the police and avoid speculating. But I am concerned about why someone would poison a cow and then proceed to slash its ears and legs," said Kamau.

Murang'a Police Commander Naomi Ichami said detectives were gathering information from two guards who were on duty as well as other employees.

Ms Ichami noted that one of the guards was reported missing but clarified that the watchman had left work early without handing over officially.

"The guard who was reported missing has been traced and is being interrogated," said Ichami.

She said the carcasses would be examined to help establish the exact cause of death.

Guard held

Sources with knowledge about the investigations told The Standard that the guard was being held by police after he was unable to explain why he left work earlier than usual.

The investigating team learnt that the carcasses were spotted by the farmhand when he arrived to milk the cows shortly after 6am.

"Bottles of tick control chemicals were collected in the cowshed and are part of the investigations," said the police investigator.

Kamau has already declared an interest in the Murang'a governorship and has on several occasions been involved in public altercations with potential rivals.