Man killed after argument on whom to vote for as MP in 2017
Shocked residents gather at the home of Patrick Kinyua in Kiindo Village, Meru County on June 21, 2016 following news that Kinyua had died after he was hit by another man after disagreeing over whom to vote for as their MP in the 2017 elections. PHOTO | DARLINGTON MANYARA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Patrick Mwiraria allegedly hit Patrick Kinyua, 23, on the head with a stone during a drinking spree in a chang’aa den.
- Kinyua, who was a miraaa trader based in Nairobi, had just arrived in Meru a month ago.
- The suspect is said to have been angered by his friend’s criticism the of current MP.
- Tigania East police boss Charles Koskei said the suspect would be charged with murder once investigations are complete.
A man was Monday killed after disagreeing with his friend over whom to vote for as their MP in the 2017 elections.
The assailant, Patrick Mwiraria allegedly hit Patrick Kinyua, 23, on the head with a stone during a drinking spree in a chang’aa den in Kiindo Village in Meru County at around 3.30am on the fateful day.
The suspect, who is in police custody, is said to have been angered by his friend’s criticism the of current MP saying he was unlikely to recapture the seat in the 2017 elections.
Family members who spoke to the Nation said Kinyua arrived home bleeding on his head and revealed his attacker’s name before he fell unconscious.
“Coincidentally, the attacker is also from our village. My son had serious injuries on the head and we rushed him to the hospital but it was too late.
“It is very sad that my son has died while drinking with his friends,” said Kinyua’s father, Mzee Kiogora.
He said Kinyua, who was a miraa trader based in Nairobi, had just arrived in Meru a month ago.
The deceased’s mother, Anastasia Kaianania, was overcome by grief over his son’s death.
Patrick Kinyua who died after he was allegedly hit on the head by his friend after an argument at a chang’aa den in Meru. PHOTO | DARLINGTON MANYARA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
ATTACKER'S WARNING
Mr Ken Thuranira, a nephew of the deceased who had accompanied him to the drinking den, said his uncle’s attacker had warned him about provoking him.
According to Thuranira, the assailant told the late Kinyua that he was unhappy with him for always differing with his (Mwiraria’s) sentiments whenever they talked.
"He asked my uncle if he remembered they had met at another place and he spared his life for always differing with him whenever they talked," said Mr Thuranira.
Tigania East police boss Charles Koskei said they were investigating the matter and that the suspect would be charged with murder once investigations are complete.
“Police are aware that the incident took place at an illegal brewer’s den.
"We are yet to establish what had transpired triggering the assault though reports are that the two were engaged in a quarrel,” he said.
(Reporting by Darlington Manyara; Editing by Martin Kinyanjui)
