Elderly woman hacked to death in Meru, grandson injured in attack

Evalyn Mukiiri Mbaabu, a member of the North Imenti NG-CDF committee, was attacked on the evening of August 7, 2026, while preparing supper in her kitchen with her 13-year-old grandson, Maxwell Mwenda.

According to a report by the Assistant Chief of Themba Sub-location, the attacker arrived at the homestead at around 7pm and asked for water. Mbaabu sent her grandson to serve the man in the sitting room while she remained in the kitchen.

Moments later, the boy heard his grandmother scream for help. When he rushed back to the kitchen, he found her lying in a pool of blood, with deep cut wounds to her forehead and the back of her head. The attacker then struck the boy on the arm with the machete before fleeing the scene.

Neighbours who responded to the screams rushed Mbaabu to Grace Park Hospital in Meru, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Her body has since been moved to Cool Breeze Mortuary for preservation.

The matter was reported at Runogone Police Station, and officers visited the scene to begin preliminary investigations. Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Imenti East have since taken over the case as they work to establish the identity and whereabouts of the attacker.