Conflicting Accounts Of A Murder Case

John Kihoro was killed after an alleged argument with a matatu conductor over a Sh 100 bus fare. Police and his family have presented different accounts of the incident.

As per the police, Kihoro was allegedly slain by a crowd who apprehended him and his accomplices while attempting to rob a matatu driver and his conductor on the highway.

The two were slain by a mob that came to the rescue of the matatu operators, according to Nakuru East Sub County Police Commander Elena Kabukuru.

“The deceased and his friend posed as passengers. When the matatu stopped, several other gang members emerged from the darkness and started attacking the conductor and the driver,” said Kabukuru. 

She added that the conductor and driver raised an alert, drawing the attention of nearby citizens who raced to their aid.

“The mob managed to catch up with the deceased as his accomplices fled the scene. The deceased was beaten up and set on fire by the mob. The matter is now under investigation,” the police commander said.

Antony Maina, the deceased’s friend, confirmed that the matatu driver came to a halt after the deceased got into a confrontation with the conductor.

“Outside the vehicle, the two wrestled, but we separated them with the driver’s assistance. The driver ordered the conductor to refund the Sh100, and they left us on the highway,” said Maina.

While his relatives claim that Kihoro was assassinated by unknown people minutes after he and his four friends were forcibly evicted from a matatu following a fight, according to his relatives.

Edith Wanjiru, the deceased's mother, said her son left around 9:30 p.m., saying he would spend the night at her elder brother's residence.

“After prayers, Kihoro gave me Sh200 and left the house. He assured me that he would be safe as he had company. His reason for moving to his brother’s house was a plan to undertake an early morning job at a yard where they recycle plastics,” said Wanjiru. 

On the other hand, the family has denied the allegations, claiming that their son was innocent and not a member of any gang.

“My son was in the past part of a notorious group. He started distancing himself from them last year and reformed from taking alcohol and other drugs. My son was not a criminal,” said the mother