This archive report was first published on 15 October 2019.
On October 14, 2019, a couple in Kandakame village, Embu County fell victim to a brutal home invasion. Joseph Gitonga, 37, and his wife Caroline Kaari, 30, were business owners in the neighborhood.
According to Albert Njiru, the area chief, four assailants entered the victims' home at around 10 pm, demanding money from Caroline. When she claimed to have none, they bludgeoned her on the head, leaving her unconscious. An hour later, when Joseph arrived home, the gang opened the door for him and clobbered him as well.
Embu County Police Commander Daniel Rukunga stated that Caroline was hit on the head using crude weapons and fell unconscious. The assailants then stole a TV set, a DVD player, and a cooking gas cylinder. The couple's two children, aged 10 and five years, who were unhurt, went to their uncle's house and informed him. The uncle rushed the couple to a nearby hospital, where Caroline was pronounced dead on arrival, and Joseph died hours later while undergoing treatment.
The police have launched an investigation and are confident of making arrests. The bodies are being preserved at the Embu Level Five Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary, and an autopsy will be conducted.
