Man hangs self after shooting cows
One of the three cows shot dead with arrows on January 2, 2017 in Bwarwari Village, Embu County, by a man who also killed two goats and later committed suicide. PHOTO | CHARLES WANYORO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Kirie Location Chief Domisiano Njeru said the businessman had given the animals as dowry recently.
- He is said to have been well regarded in the village, had participated in many public functions and had recently built a beautiful house.
Residents of a village in Embu County are in shock after a 46-year-old man killed the animals he had offered as bride price to his in-laws and then killed himself on Tuesday morning.
Paul Njeru Irema of Mbarwari Village, Mbeere North Sub-County, is said to have doused his thriving shop in petrol, set it on fire and proceeded to his in-laws’ homestead, where he fatally shot with arrows three cows, a calf and two goats.
He then hanged himself on a tree.
Kirie Location Chief Domisiano Njeru said the man had given the animals as dowry recently.
“The animals he killed were the ones he took [to his in-laws] as dowry two weeks ago,” said Chief Njeru. “Everyone is shocked.”
SUICIDE NOTE
The administrator said police in Siakago were investigating the bizarre incident.
Mr Njeru said Mr Irema, a father of four, left a suicide note asking to be buried in a cowshed without a casket and detailing how his property should be shared.
“He requested that people not contribute any money for his burial,” said the chief. “The place where he hanged himself is near the spot at which he wished to be buried.”
The chief said the businessman had recently quarrelled with his wife and she had left for her parents’ home, which could have caused him to attack the animals.
WELL-REGARDED BUSINESSMAN
Muminji Ward Administrator Njeru Nyaga said he had spotted the couple on Monday and they looked as if they had resolved their differences.
“It is as if the quarrel escalated during the month of December, because he had not been operating his shop for a long time,” said Mr Nyaga. “He was a good man and of sober mind.
“We were worried why he was not operating during the festive period.”
The chief said villagers were shocked by the news and were wondering why the man took the drastic move.
He said the businessman, who was well regarded in the village, participated in many public functions and had recently built a beautiful house.
“He was a respected businessman and even had a lot of stock,” said Chief Njeru. “We didn’t think he could have taken such an action.”
