This archive report was first published on 22 October 2019.
On Sunday, a tragic incident occurred in Kamatungu estate, Marimanti town, Tharaka South Sub County, where a 35-year-old man, Muriungi Kiyogere, allegedly stabbed his friend, Daniel Mutiria Cece, 36, four times in the stomach and chest at around 11 pm.
According to Tharaka-South Police Commander, Kiprop Rutto, the incident was sparked by a disagreement over termites. The deceased had found the suspect picking termites outside his door and demanded that he surrender the insects, claiming they belonged to him.
A scuffle ensued, and the suspect ran to his house and returned with a knife, killing his friend on the spot. The suspect later surrendered at the station, where he confessed to the crime.
Residents of the area described the suspect and the victim as longtime friends who had spent Mashujaa Day drinking together. They expressed shock at the incident, stating that they had never witnessed such animosity in the area before.
Mr. Jacob M'Chabari, a Njuri Ncheke elder, noted that it is taboo for circumcised Ameru men to eat termites, and that the incident was a big shame for a man to kill another over such a trivial matter.
