Embu Man Arrested for Brutal Murder of His Partner, Body Dumped in River.

Detectives in Embu have arrested a man suspected of brutally murdering his partner and dumping her body in a river.

Benson David Mwendwa is accused of killing 44-year-old widow Jane Kilonzi at her home in Mbeere South after a heated argument. Mwendwa, who had been staying at Kilonzi’s farm, reportedly attacked her when she refused to let him spend the night.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the two had separated months before the incident, but Mwendwa showed up uninvited, demanding to stay with her.

Investigations revealed that Kilonzi had been living on a farm managed by her late husband until his death in 2023. After his passing, Mwendwa took over the farm’s supervision and stayed in a house belonging to Kilonzi’s son. During this time, a relationship developed between Mwendwa and Kilonzi, despite her son’s disapproval, which ultimately led to Mwendwa’s eviction.

On the day of the murder, Mwendwa visited Kilonzi, and after they shared a meal, he insisted on staying the night. When Kilonzi refused, the confrontation turned violent. Mwendwa struck her on the head, knocking her unconscious. He then dragged her to the nearby Ciakarigu River, where he continued the assault before leaving her for dead, watching over her body throughout the night.

Her body was discovered the next day in a pool of water, showing signs of severe trauma, with blood flowing from her mouth and nose.

The DCI launched a manhunt for Mwendwa, which culminated in his arrest several weeks later. He was arraigned in Embu High Court, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. Mwendwa is currently held at Majimbo Prison, awaiting pre-trial hearings set for November 19, 2024.

Article By Suzy Nyongesa.