Shock as businessman is killed while children watch

A sombre mood has engulfed Nyamalani Village in Mackinnon Road location, Samburu Division in Kwale County, following the brutal murder of a prominent young businessman at his farm on Monday night.

A resident narrated to the Nation that Mr Kalama Karisa’s throat was slit open when a group of about 10 men pinned him down on his bed.

He was guarding his crop, about a quarter kilometre from his homestead, from wild pigs and other animals who were destroying them.

“At about 1am, a group of hooded men surrounded his farm hut. Three got in and pinned him down on the bed with a knife as others kept guard outside,” said the Mr Kalama’s young nephew, who together with other two other boys was with his uncle in the hut.

DISTRESS CALL

The assailants slit open the 35-year-old businessman’s throat as two of the boys managed to slip out and alerted neighbours.

The youngest boy aged about six, was left unhurt. He was found by villagers who rushed to the scene following a distress call from the children.

Mr Kalama operated a shop on his homestead, a commercial plant nursery and other businesses.

He was the chairman of Mgalani Primary School parents association and coordinator of the Kenya Red Cross Society activities and several women groups in the area.

The motive of the murder still remains unclear. However, it is said the deceased had been receiving threatening messages from unknown people in the past few weeks.

THREATENING MESSAGES

“Two weeks ago, some people pelted his hut with stones at night but he did not take it seriously thinking they were ordinary thieves who were after stealing his maize,” a family member said.

A few days later, he met a group of unknown people as he went to the farm in the evening but also, did not take it seriously thinking they were the same thieves.

Police took the body to Coast Provincial Hospital mortuary in Mombasa for post mortem.

Kwale County Commissioner Kutswa Olaka condemned the incident and warned residents against such acts.

HACKED TO DEATH

Another man, Shehi Chiboya, was recently hacked to death by unknown people in the same division.

“Deaths by this unknown squad are increasing. I want to send a strong warning to the perpetrators that we are on them and soon we will catch up with the gang,” he said.

He said that a contingent of police officers had been dispatched to the area and was pursuing useful leads adding that he was confident the perpetrators will be arrested in a matter of days.