Tharaka police probe deaths

Police in Tharaka South are investigating the death of two people from Marimanti location.

Marimanti Chief John Muchiri said Daniel Kinoti, 42, from Kamatungu sub-location was found floating in River Kathita on Saturday.

Mr Muchiri said the deceased was fishing with his friends when he fell into the river and drowned. The body was later found by villagers.

In the same sub-location, Gicibu Gaicu, 60, was on Sunday found lying by the road in Mwarange village with serious injuries.

According to villagers, he was probably attacked on Saturday night as he was coming from Marimanti Town.

Mr Gaicu, who was found unconscious, was taken to Tharaka District Hospital in Marimanti where he was confirmed dead a few minutes after arrival.

Both bodies were taken to the Meru Hospital mortuary to undergo postmortem as police begin their investigation.

Timothy Karani, a resident of Kamatungu sub-location, said robberies have increased in the area as criminals target farmers coming from Marimanti Town to sell their produce.

“These criminals are attacking old people on the roads, especially on Thursdays as they head home from Marimanti,” said Mr Karani.

But he was optimistic that with the campaign to eradicate of illicit alcohol, the crime rate would go down.

“The criminals stealing and killing people must be the youths who are looking for money to buy the illicit alcohol. But with the crackdown, the crime will reduce,” he said.