Police in Mbeere South, Embu County, are investigating an incident where a man reportedly slashed his wife to death in Iravari village.

Neighbours say that 26-year-old Genesio Fundi killed his wife Gladys Thaara, 24, using a machete under unclear circumstances.

“Mwendo kama wa saa kumi na mbili ivi, tuliskia nduru kutoka kwa watoto, alafu bibi yangu alikuwa pale chini kwa shamba akaona Fundi akikimbizana na mfanyikazi wake. Tulipoenda kwake tukakuta ameua bibi yake kwa kumkatata kwa panga,” Njeru Magara, a neighbour, told TV47 Digital.

Reports indicate that Fundi lived in harmony with his neighbours, but problems started when two months ago he was diagnosed with a mental health issue.

“Uhusiano wa Fundi na wanakijiji haukuwa mbaya, alikuwa mtu mzuri kwa jamii. Wakati wa siasa alikuwa bodyguard wa mheshimiwa wa Mbeere South. Lakini miezi mbili iliyopita alipatwa na ugonjwa kidogo, kama alikuwa wazimu, akapelekwa hospitali. Alipotoka hospitali akarudi hapa nyumbani, akaacha kazi yake ya miraa na akawa anakaa hapa nyumbani bila shida yeyote,” Magara added.

The suspect’s elder brother Stephen Nyaga, however, says that Fundi’s life changed when he started using drugs.

“Nishawahi piga ripoti kwa maafisa wa polisi na chifu kuhusiana na visanga vyake vya bangi lakini hakuna hatua yeyote ilichukuliwa,” Nyaga says.

Confirming the incident, Mbeere South Sub-County Police Commander Harrison Muthua said that the couple’s two children (aged 9 and 5) escaped the wrath of their father by locking themselves in their bedroom, but not before witnessing their him killing their mother in cold blood.

Neighbours ran to their rescue when they started screaming as their father tried to break the door.

The suspect also injured his farm worker before taking off in a motorbike and surrendering to Kiritiri Police Station that is more than 5 kilometers away.