Police in Nyeri looking for man who beat mother to death

Police are looking for a 21-year-old man who allegedly beat up his mother to death on Wednesday in Mweiga Village, Nyeri County, barely a week after he torched her house.

The man, identified as Peter Kairu, is said have attacked his 52-year-old mother around midday with a piece of wood.

He hit her three times on the head, killing her instantly.

The suspect is believed to have been after the money his mother had received from well-wishers to rebuild the house he had torched.

“The mother had gone to withdraw the money to buy wood she would use to rebuild her house. We suspect he was after that money,” said Ms Elizabeth King’ori, a neighbour.

Ms King’ori said the deceased was expecting guests to help her raise more funds.

“I first heard screams then I saw Kairu dash into the bush as the mother fell down,” she added.

WATCHED AS HOUSE BURNT

Other neighbours said the assailant set his mother’s house on fire five days ago, burning it to the ground. However, she covered it up for him.

During the incident, they said Mr Kairu just stood by and watched as they helplessly battled the fire.

They said it was not the first time Mr Kairu attacked his mother. He had earlier stabbed her in the back.

Mr Kairu is said to have been bitter with his mother because he was unable to pay his college fees.

Neighbours said he had demanded that his mother should take him to the university after he scored an ‘A’ in his KCSE exams.

Kieni West OCPD John Kemboi said they have launched a manhunt for the suspect.

“We are on his trail already and neighbours have also joined in the search,” said Mr Kemboi.

Neighbours said Kairu scored an A in his KCSE exam and was demanding that his mother takes him to the university but she could not afford to pay for his fees.

The deceased, a mother of three, hails from Othaya and had recently relocated to Mweiga.