- The couple fled from the scene as members of the public torched their house.
- A witness, Joan Njoki, said this was not the first time the two had fought publicly.
Image: GEORGE MURAGE
Residents of Kasarani estate in Naivasha are trying to come to terms with the death of an elder who was hit on the head while trying to separate a fighting couple.
The man died while undergoing treatment in hospital as residents moved in to torch the couple’s house on the estate, which is home to tens of flower farm workers.
Trouble started after the couple, who work on flower farms in the area, turned violent over unknown issues.
A witness, Joan Njoki, said this was not the first time the two had fought publicly, forcing members of the public to intervene.
Njoki said the man had seriously injured the woman when the village elder decided to intervene, only to be hit on the head with a blunt object that the duo was fighting with.
“The elder collapsed and was rushed to Naivasha Subcounty Hospital as the couple fled from the scene with members of the public torching their house,” she said.
Naivasha police division boss Samuel Waweru confirmed the incident, adding that they were seeking the couple to record a statement over the death.
“The victim died while undergoing treatment and we have opened an inquest file as we seek the couple who caused the fatal blow,” he said.
Meanwhile, residents of Ihindu in Naivasha have issued a one-week ultimatum to Kenya National Highway Authority to erect speed bumps in the area.
They warned that they would block the Nairobi-Nakuru highway to stop the rising cases of fatal accidents if their demand is not met.
On Monday, the residents blocked the road for over three hours after the ninth victim was hit and killed by a speeding car while on his way to the nearby Ihindu market.
According to area MCA Stanley Karanja, the rumble strips erected last week by the authority were ineffective in dealing with the speeding drivers.
“We totally blame Kenha for the nine deaths reported in the last one month and they should brace themselves for more demonstrations from residents who are tired of these deaths,” he said.
However, a senior officer from Kenha who declined to be named ruled out erecting bumps, noting that the rumble strips were effective in reducing motorists' speed.
“Their cries are genuine, but, according to the design of this road, we can only erect rumble strips here and not speed bumps as demanded,” the officer said.
Edited by Henry Makori