A 29-year-old man is in custody after allegedly killing his sister-in-law with a machete as she walked her child to school.
The suspect was arrested on Wednesday morning following the attack on Patience Penesi, 23, in Ila village, Shinyalu. Patience’s husband is currently working in Qatar.
Witnesses say the violence erupted after Patience returned home and found her door locked, prompting her to ask her brother-in-law to open it.
“Her husband is in Qatar, she came home and found her door had been locked and asked her brother-in-law to open the door and that is where problems started, and he attacked her,” a relative said.
Another relative said her belongings remained scattered at the gate. Patience was hacked with the machete and died at the scene.
Her four-year-old child, who was with her during the attack, was also struck, sustaining cuts to the head and abdomen.
The child was rushed to St. Elizabeth Mission Hospital in Mukumu, where treatment is ongoing.
Patience’s body has since been moved to Kakamega Referral Hospital. Area Chief Ben confirmed the suspect is being held at a local police station.
Residents criticised what they called a slow emergency response, blaming a lack of resources for delays in reaching the area.
“Police delay in coming to these sides because they have no van and that is a case that has led to insecurity,” one resident said.
Community members are now urging the government to strengthen security in Shinyalu and take firmer action on domestic violence cases.