Star Newspaper staff in Machakos murder for hire love story

An employee of a local media house and another from a local university are among the four suspects arrested in connection with the murder of a woman in Machakos town on March 14.

Ms Hilda Wanjiru, an employee of an insurance company was shot dead in her house in Katoloni estate, Machakos Town, by two men.

Her husband, Mr Josphat Keria Mwarania who is a manager with the National Bank in Meru, was also shot and injured on his left hand.

All the four were arrested in Nairobi and will appear in a Machakos court on Monday.

Machakos CID chief Henry Ndombi however Sunday evening said that the firearm had not been recovered. “We have finalized investigations and the four suspects will appear in court on Monday,” he said.

The gunman who pulled the trigger has been identified as Mr Wycliffe Amida, an employee of The Star newspaper.

Mr Amida was hired by Ms Kezziah Wanjiru Mbugua an employee of St Paul’s University, according to the police.

Both suspects were arrested in Nairobi alongside two other suspects following an operation by detectives from the Special Crime Prevention Unit (SCPU).

Ms Mbugua, who is a former girlfriend of the deceased’s husband, was arrested along Kimathi Street and after interrogation, led the officers to the residence of Mr Amida in Eastleigh. Mr Amida 34, is an office assistant with The Star.

The officers also arrested Mr Joseph Mutua Nzomo and a motorcyclist, Mr Charles Njaramba Mwiti. According to the police, Ms Mbugua took Mr Nzomo to Machakos on Saturday and showed him the victims’ house.

RODE ON A MOTORBIKE ALL THE WAY

After being shown the house, Mr Nzomo remained in Machakos and was joined the following day by both Mr Mwiti and Mr Amida. Both rode on a motorcycle all the way to Machakos to avoid possible screening on the way. Mr Amida was armed with a Ceska pistol.

The two stormed into the house but when the deceased saw the firearm, she ran to the toilet. The gunman followed her there, shot her three times on the head and shoulder, killing her on the spot.

The deceased's husband struggled with the other attacker in the sitting room, prompting the gunman to come back from the toilet. As the husband was escaping, he was shot on the left hand while his sister was shot in the back.

Detectives from the SCPU started investigating the matter. Investigations revealed that there was constant communication between Ms Mbugua and the three men which police say was due to the balance which had not been paid.

Machakos OCPD Adiel Nyange said last week that investigations were launched immediately and they sought the assistance of the SCPU officers, adding that the deceased’s husband offered crucial tips.

“The two men knocked the door and it was opened. When Ms Wanjiru saw that one of them was armed, she rushed to the toilet but the gunman followed her there where he shot her three times, killing her on the spot,” said the OCPD.

Mr Patrick Mutiso, a neighbour told Nation that he heard at least four gunshots within the estate but did not get out immediately. “When I finally got out of my house, I saw residents gathered at the deceased’s residence. She was lying dead inside the toilet,” he said.