Kirinyaga residents in shock as 104-year-old granny murdered after being assaulted

The victim, Lydiah Wangeci Gikunju, was found dead in her home, with signs indicating she had been sexually assaulted and her head nearly severed.

Her body was discovered by her daughter-in-law, Jane Wanjiru Mbugi, who routinely checked on her every morning due to her advanced age.

Wanjiru, visibly shaken, recounted the moment she made the discovery. She said she entered the house and used her phone torch to check on her mother-in-law, only to find her lifeless body. She described the scene as distressing, noting that the deceased appeared to have suffered severe injuries. She covered the body before raising the alarm.

The deceased’s daughters — Margaret Wawira, Regina Muthoni, and Sarah Njoki — said they were informed of the incident while at their respective homes.

Regina Muthoni said she was in Kerugoya when she received the call, while another sister was in Kimicha. The family expressed disbelief and grief over the manner of their mother’s death.

Margaret Wawira said it was difficult to comprehend how their elderly mother met such a violent end, adding that they had hoped she would pass on naturally due to her age.

The family also revealed that this was not the first security incident at the homestead. In a previous case, unknown individuals reportedly broke into the house, stole food, and consumed some of it. According to the family, the deceased had identified one of the individuals involved.

Residents and family members have urged police to expedite investigations, noting that such an incident is unprecedented in the area.

Detectives from Kiamaciri Police Station visited the scene, secured it, and launched investigations. Police confirmed that one suspect has been arrested after being found in the village with a chicken that was positively identified by the family as belonging to the deceased.

The body was moved to Kibugi Funeral Home in Kutus, where it awaits a post-mortem examination as investigations continue.