This archive report was first published on 1 November 2019.
On October 27, a tragic incident occurred in Katani, Machakos County, where a woman and her daughter-in-law were brutally murdered. The motive behind the killings was a Sh40 million medical drugs deal that had fallen apart.
According to sources, the woman's husband, Fredrick Mwangi, was involved in a business partnership with another individual, who had a significant stake in the deal. However, the partnership soured when Mwangi failed to fulfill his end of the bargain, leaving his business partner with a substantial financial loss.
The business partner, allegedly angered by Mwangi's actions, hired two hitmen to kill Mwangi's wife, Purity Wanjiru, and his mother, Ann Katita. The two women were attacked by the hitmen while Mwangi was arriving home from work. Mwangi was injured during the scuffle and later shot himself in the leg while trying to wrestle the gunman.
Police investigations revealed that the hitmen were paid Sh2 million for the mission, with half of the amount paid before the murder and the balance paid afterwards. The police also recovered two AK47 rifles and several hoods and masks used by the criminals to hide their faces.
Anthony Kilonzo, a General Service Unit officer, was arrested in connection with the murder plot. Kilonzo claimed that he was approached by a friend to kill Mwangi's wife, but the magistrate cut him short, asking him whether he understood the application by the prosecution seeking to detain him for 21 days to complete the investigation.
Police Director George Kinoti expressed his commitment to solving the case, stating, 'He is in pain. Let him mourn first. But we will get all those behind this issue.'
