Kitui businessman shot dead in night attack

A prominent businessman at Kabati trading centre in Kauwi Ward, Kitui West subcounty, was on Saturday night gunned down by gangsters.

David Kuvungwa, alias Shabiki, was shot dead with a rifle when an unknown number of robbers arrived at his workplace in a Subaru, armed to the teeth, according to Kauwi location senior chief Thomas Munyao.

“The assailants, who were armed with guns, arrived at the trader’s business premises and opened fire, killing him on the spot. He was hit by several bullets,” said Munyao.

He added that after killing the businessman, the criminals tied up his wife and workers and dumped them in a secluded room within the establishment before ransacking the premises and escaping with a large sum of money.

The chief called on members of the public to volunteer information that could lead to the arrest of the gang, noting that the attackers appeared well-acquainted with the location they targeted.

“At the same time, I urge all traders in the Kauwi area to prioritise their security even as they go about their daily activities,” the chief added.

He said cooperation among residents was necessary to ensure peace and tranquility were maintained and to eliminate criminal elements from the midst of the peace-loving community.

Munyao also said police authorities had assured him that 24-hour patrols would be mounted, especially at Kabati market along the Kitui–Thika road, to bolster security for residents and their property.

In another incident on Saturday night, a driver attached to a senior National Government Administration officer in Kitui County was found dead in his house. The body, which had visible stab wounds, was discovered in a sitting position.

It was not immediately clear whether the driver was murdered or had taken his own life. Police took the body to the morgue as investigations commenced.