Detectives in Embu have arrested a man over the brutal murder of his lover and thereafter dumping her body in a river.
Benson David Mwendwa is accused of the gruesome murder of 44-year-old widow, Jane Kilonzi, at her home in Mbeere South where he had been housed last month.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) revealed that Mwendwa committed the offence following an argument with Kilonzi, as he tried to forcefully spend the night at her farm despite the two having parted ways months before.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Kilonzi’s husband was the supervisor of the farm she lived in before he died in 2023, a position which Mwendwa took over.
Mwendwa at the time had no place to stay and lived at one of the houses belonging to Kilonzi’s son for three months, during which he fell in love with her.
“During his stay, a relationship blossomed between Mwendwa and Kilonzi, much to the dismay of her son. This disapproval by the son led to Mwendwa’s eviction from the house, forcing him to find accommodation in Isakho area,” stated the DCI.
On the fateful day of Kilonzi’s murder, Mwendwa had paid her a visit and after the two shared a meal, he insisted on spending the night with her, to which she refused.
“A heated argument ensued, culminating in Mwendwa striking Kilonzi on the head, knocking her unconscious. He then dragged her to the nearby Ciakarigu River, where he continued his brutal assault before leaving her for dead and watching over her all night,” added the DCI.
“Her lifeless body was found in a pool of water in Kiambere division of Mbeere South Sub-County, Embu County, bearing severe bruises and with blood streaming from her mouth and nose.”
The DCI launched a manhunt for the suspect which culminated in the arrest of Mwendwa, weeks after the murder.
