- EDITOR’S BRIEF: The tragic incident in Kitengela is a stark reminder of the need to address gender-based violence in Kenya. It is important to promote healthy relationships and teach young men how to accept rejection in relationships. It is also crucial to ensure that perpetrators of such heinous crimes are brought to justice and that victims receive the support they need to heal and recover. Ultimately, it is everyone’s responsibility to create a safe and secure environment for all, where gender-based violence has no place.
A tragic incident occurred on Friday night in Kitengela when a 22-year-old woman was stabbed to death by her lover at a pizza outlet where they both worked. According to a police report, the suspect, who had been on the morning shift, returned to work at around 8 pm and attacked the victim with a knife, leaving her in a pool of blood, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
The suspect, 25, is believed to have been in an on-and-off relationship with the deceased, although their colleagues, who spoke to the media in confidence due to the sensitivity of the matter, said they did not expect it to end so tragically.
The victim, the daughter of a senior police officer serving in Kiambu County, was ambushed and did not have time to defend herself. Witnesses said that the suspect kept berating her as he stabbed her in a fit of rage, drawing screams from members of staff and customers.
He was later cornered by a mob about 100 metres from the scene of the crime, and by the time police officers arrived, members of the public had already dragged him to where his lover’s body lay. A bloody murder weapon was found, and the suspect was taken to Kitengela Sub-county Hospital, where he is being treated under a 24-hour police guard.
Kajiado County police commander Muthuri Mwongela said the suspect would be charged with murder, insisting that the killing was premeditated. He added that the suspect had stabbed the victim all over her body and would face charges on Monday.
The incident has sparked outrage among Kenyans, with many calling for justice for the victim and an end to gender-based violence. Mr Ringera urged young men to learn to accept rejection in relationships to avoid such incidents.
He added that killing a woman is not a solution but a sign of weakness, and that young men must learn to accept and move on if a woman rejects them.
