The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives in Embu have arrested a man over the brutal murder of his lover and thereafter dumped her body in a river.

In a statement on Wednesday, DCI stated that Benson David Mwendwa is accused of the gruesome murder of 44-year-old widow Jane Kilonzi at her home in Mbeere South, where he had been housed last month.

“Mwendwa committed the offence following an argument with Kilonzi, as he tried to forcefully spend the night at her farm despite the two having parted ways months before.”

Further, DCI says preliminary investigations revealed that Kilonzi’s husband was the supervisor of the farm she lived in before he died in 2023, a position that Mwendwa took over.

At the time, Mwendwa had no place to stay and lived at one of Kilonzi’s son's houses for three months, during which time he fell in love with her.

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“During his stay, a relationship blossomed between Mwendwa and Kilonzi, much to the dismay of her son. This disapproval by the son led to Mwendwa’s eviction from the house, forcing him to find accommodation in Isakho area,” stated the DCI.

On the fateful day of Kilonzi’s murder, Mwendwa had paid her a visit and after the two shared a meal, he insisted on spending the night with her, to which she refused.

“A heated argument ensued, culminating in Mwendwa striking Kilonzi on the head, knocking her unconscious. He then dragged her to the nearby Ciakarigu River, where he continued his brutal assault before leaving her for dead and watching over her all night.”

“Her lifeless body was found in a pool of water in Kiambere division of Mbeere South Sub-County, Embu County, bearing severe bruises and with blood streaming from her mouth and nose."

The DCI launched a manhunt for the suspect, which culminated in the arrest of Mwendwa weeks after the murder.

He was arraigned before the Embu High Court on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against him.

The suspect is currently detained at Majimbo Prison as the case is scheduled for pre-trials on November 19, 2024.