A prominent Thika businesswoman was killed by unknown assailants at her residence in Maki estate, Gatanga on Monday night.
Joyce Wambui was hit in the head with a crowbar at around 8 pm after she got home from work.
Gatanga OCPD Beatrice Kiraguri told journalists that the suspected criminals destroyed security cameras at the compound before executing the attack.
She said that they are probing whether the thugs waylaid the woman or forced their way into the compound as she drove into her residence.
"Preliminary investigations show that nothing was stolen from the trader or from her house. The motive seemed to be one, that is, take her life," Kiraguri said.
Police arrested the family's house help, who was at home at the time of the attack, to assist in the investigations.
The officers restrained journalists from speaking with the house help who has been living with the woman at the posh home for long.
"It will only be a matter of time before we catch up with the culprits," the police boss said on Tuesday.
The woman's husband - Peter Githitu - was shot dead by unknown gunmen at Thika town in 2006 in broad daylight.
Neighbours, who spoke to the Star, said that Wambui was a humble and God-fearing woman who had no quarrels with them.
"We are shocked that the goons took her life. She is the most humble person I have known for the last 20 years," Eunice Mokaya, a neighbour, said.
"We plead with the police to ensure that her killers are arrested and punished according to the law," she said.
Alfred Wanyoike, chairman Thika district business association, said it was regrettable that assailants are targeting traders.
"We fear because we don’t know who is next in line. We called upon the authorities to beef up security in this area," he said.