Businessman shot dead while drinking in a Meru pub

A businessman was shot dead on Thursday night at a pub near Gakoromone market in Meru town by an unknown gunman.

Jeremiah Mutuma, 43, was shot while he was out drinking in a pub, which is in a building he owns.

“The landlord (Mr Mutuma) and I were having drinks at my pub after we had attended a function when he was shot,” said Mr John Kaunga, who owns the bar where they were drinking.

Mr Kaunga explained that he heard a blast which he thought was a commotion outside. “I saw Mr Mutuma put the hat he was wearing on the table before laying his head on the table.

"That is when I noticed the blood oozing from the back of his head,” explained Mr Kaunga, as he showed police and journalists the table which was filled with blood.

The incident occurred at 7:30 p.m.

The attacker is said to have shot from outside the pub through the curtain as the people inside did not see him.

“I had just left the pub to fetch some soup in an opposite butchery when I heard the blast. When I turned, I saw a man wearing a jacket run towards the dark road leading to Gakoromone market,” said another witness, who was only identified as Kaimenyi.

He is a taxi driver and had come to pick the deceased’s son-in-law from the pub to an event.

“This is a case of assassination as the gunman did not steal anything. It seems that his aim was just to shoot and kill,” said Mr Joseph Kyoyo, OCS Meru.

The man was rushed to Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital by the police.

According to witnesses, the deceased did not live in the building but was a frequent customer at the pub.

Mr Kaunga explained that the brother to the deceased was also shot behind the same pub a few years ago.

Police are investigating the matter. No arrests have been made yet.