Machakos: Varsity student suspected of slitting lovers throat held

Police in Machakos have been allowed to remand a university student  for ten days in a case he is accused of killing his girlfriend by slitting her throat.

The Machakos Court granted the order following a miscellaneous application by police to hold Charles Mwania to enable them complete  investigations in to the murder.

Mwania, a Bachelors of Science in Agricultural Economics student at Egerton University, Njoro campus was arrested on Monday.

He is the key suspect in the murder of his girlfriend, Irene Mumbua, 21. 

DCI sleuths said Mwania was arrested at his hideout at the university where he sought refuge after committing the heinous act at Mutituni village, Machakos County.  

"Police and DCI made it to the scene and found the house belonging to Mwania locked. On breaking the door, a body was found lying on the bed. That body was of Irene Wambua," Machakos subcounty criminal investigations officer John Waithaka said.

Waithaka addressed the press at his office in Machakos town on Tuesday.

He said the murder was reported by area chief Ancient Mutua.

"Yesterday (Monday) we received information from members of public that the suspect was a university student at Egerton University. We liaised with security of the university and the suspect was arrested at the university  premises," Waithaka said.

He said the deceased's mobile phone was recovered from the suspect.

Wambua worked as a salonist at Mutituni shopping centre before her demise. Police believe she was murdered in relation to a love triangle.

The DCI boss said a black hard-cover book and a hand-written note with pencil writings were recovered next to the body.

"She betrayed me with Alex," the note read in part.

Waithaka said the body had visible injuries on the head, eyes and neck which appeared to have been inflicted by a sharp object.

"The body was swollen and decomposing while the deceased's clothes were socked with blood," he said.

The murder weapon, a kitchen knife, was recovered from the scene. It was blood-stained.

Waithaka said the murder scene had been processed and body moved to Machakos Funeral Home awaiting autopsy while the knife and book have been kept as exhibits.

Mwania will be produced in court on April 9 for plea taking.