A 26-year-old man, Genesio Fundi, is being held in police custody after allegedly murdering his wife, 24-year-old Gladys Thara, in a brutal attack in Embu County.
The crime took place in the presence of their two young children, aged 9 and 5, leaving the community in shock and disbelief.
Fundi was arrested after he allegedly slashed his wife to death with a sharp weapon, also injuring a family worker who reportedly lost two fingers during the attack.
The murder occurred in the Siakago area, where the family lived. Following his arrest, Fundi appeared before Siakago Law Courts on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, where Principal Magistrate Stephen Ngii allowed the DCI’s request to detain him for 14 more days while they completed their investigation.
Magistrate Ngii expressed that the request from the police was reasonable, given the serious nature of the charges. Magistrate Ngii also cited the seriousness of the alleged murder, which involved the death of Fundi’s wife and the trauma inflicted on their children, as grounds for detaining him.
“I find that the request by the police is merited and order the suspect to be detained at Kiritiri Police Station for 14 days to enable police to complete investigations,” he ruled.
The Magistrate also ordered OCS Kiritiri Police Station to ensure Fundi gets appropriate medical attention while in custody as he allowed the DCI’s application
Fundi’s lawyer sought his release on bond, citing his poor health and claims that he had not eaten for days.
However, the magistrate dismissed the plea, noting that the seriousness of the murder charges meant that Fundi’s release was not warranted.
The court did, however, order that Fundi receive medical attention while in custody at Kiritiri Police Station.
The case has deeply shaken the local community, especially considering that the two young children were witnesses to the violent crime. The children are now being cared for by relatives and are receiving emotional support.
DCI detectives are working to uncover the motive behind the murder, which has raised serious concerns about domestic violence in the area. Police are calling on anyone with additional information to assist in the ongoing investigation.
