Residents of Male village, Tigithi location in Laikipia County are in shock following the brutal murder of a 49-year-old woman by her younger brother.

The deceased, Rebecca Muthoni, was hit with a hammer on the head following a quarrel over KSh2,000 Government’s cash transfer programme meant for the upkeep of their ailing mother.

After the confrontation that left her badly injured, Muthoni was rushed to Naromoru Level Four Hospital where she died while undergoing treatment.

Confirming the incident that occurred over the weekend, Tigithi location chief Wilson Thuo said the suspect, 45-year-old Joseph Gitahi later surrendered to Matanya Police Station where he was locked up awaiting court appearance to face murder charges.

Where is the KSh2,000

Thuo said the assailant, who is the caregiver to his mother, attacked his sister after she questioned the whereabouts of KSh2,000 he had received, being the Government monthly pay for the elderly under the Inua Jamii Programme.

Narrating the incident, the mother of the deceased Mary Wahito, a widow, said she watched desperately as his son threatened to kill his sister and later executed the threat when he rushed for a hammer and hit her on the head.

A village trouble maker

Local residents described the assailant who is not married as a troublemaker in the village who is addicted to alcohol and narcotics.

The mother and other members of the family asked the Government to ensure their wayward kin gets a life imprisonment warning that they would not accept him back in case he is released.

At the same time, residents condemned the incident which the attributed with the rampant drug and substance abuse in the area and called on the government to intervene.

The suspect was on Monday arraigned before a Nanyuki court but did not plead to murder charges after DCI officers asked for more time to enable for a postmortem and mental assessment.

Story by KNA, Nanyuki