Man killed, wife injured in brutal attack in Joska, Machakos

Detectives are investigating an incident where a man was attacked and killed in his house by suspected thugs who escaped without stealing anything in Joska area, Machakos County.

The killing of Martin Maina, 54, sent shock among many residents in the area amid calls for police action to tame any such incident and ensure justice.

His wife is fighting for her life in hospital after their attack at their new home on September 18, 2025, police said.

A gang of unknown number broke into the house at dawn after jumping over a perimeter wall.

They then clobbered Maina in his bedroom, killing him as he and his wife raised an alarm for help.

Police and neighbours who responded there said the body had deep cuts in the head, while his wife had injuries inflicted by a blunt object but was alive.

The police said the gang had broken the window panes and cut the grills to access the house.

Their mission seemed to kill the man, which they did. The motive is yet to be known.

The body was moved to the mortuary pending an autopsy.

The woman was admitted in hospital while traumatised.

Many locals are new landlords and the attack has sent shockwaves among them.

Police said they are pursuing the attackers with an aim of arresting them for justice.

Elsewhere in Laare, Igembe Meru county, a man identified as Joseph Kiere, 28, was found dead and his body dumped in a church compound.

Police suspect he was murdered elsewhere and the body dumped there on September 18, 2025.

The motive of the murder is yet to be known and no arrest has been made so far, police said.

The body had a deep cut on the back and was moved to the mortuary pending an autopsy and investigations, police said.

Police said on Friday they were pursuing leads into the murder incident.

Murder incidents have been on the rise amid efforts to solve them.