A family in Kiria-ini, Murang’a county, has been left mourning after a 44-year-old man was allegedly hacked to death by his wife following a domestic dispute.
Police are investigating allegations that Patrick Mwangi was attacked with a machete by his wife at around 7 am on Tuesday.
Mwangi’s uncle, former Kiru Ward councillor Peter Gatawa, claimed the couple had been embroiled in domestic disputes, with the man claiming that he was being abused by his wife.
“Domestic issues should be handled peacefully. Let’s stop fighting physically and find better ways of dealing with our issues to stop needless loss of lives,” Gatawa said.
Gatawa claimed the matter had previously been reported to police and had also been presented before a court, but the disputes between the couple persisted.
Mwangi died before he could receive treatment after he was rushed to hospital following the alleged attack.
The suspect later presented herself at Kiria-ini Police Station, where she was placed in custody as police began investigations into the incident.
However, the situation briefly turned tense after local residents stormed the police station demanding that the woman be handed over to them.
Gatawa said the incident had exposed the struggles faced by some men in abusive relationships, with many choosing to suffer in silence.
“Many men, if they were to speak up, would give horror stories of the ordeals they face in the hands of their partners,” he said.
He described Mwangi as a hardworking man who had worked his way up from supplying water to residents using a bicycle to buying a pick-up and later establishing a car wash business.
Mwangi had also built rental houses as an additional source of income, but his death has now left his young children without their father.
His wife is now in police custody as she awaits the outcome of investigations.
Gatawa said the family was deeply saddened by the incident, adding that Mwangi’s children were too young to understand what had happened.
“What has become of this family is very unfortunate. The man has died, the wife may face prosecution, and the children may have to be brought up by their kin,” he said.
He urged couples to avoid physical confrontations, saying violence only leaves families devastated regardless of who is involved.
He also called on couples to seek peaceful ways of resolving disagreements rather than using violence to assert control in their relationships.
