Mother’s mediation plan collapses as daughter killed in domestic feud
Annitah Mugweru who was stabbed to death by her husband on Tuesday April 10, at their home in the upper hill area.
After having enough of her daughter’s troubled marriage, Sera Mugweru had decided to visit the daughter's matrimonial home to find a final solution to the union
This was to happen over the weekend when Mugweru was to travel together with a small delegation to her daughter Annitah Mugweru's home at St Mary's estate for the said purpose.
But it appears she was late after the daughter was killed on Wednesday after a violent domestic brawl.
On April 15 she received the sad news of her daughter's death with disbelief. What broke her most was the fact that her life was sniffed out by a man who was supposed to protect her.
The husband identified as Edwin Muthomi who is Military officer has since been arrested
Sera Mugweru mother to Annitah Mugweru who was stabbed to death by her husband on Tuesday April 10, at their home in the upper hill area breaks down into tears as she calls for justice for her daughter
“We were to come to their home on Saturday to try and solve their problems, with a possibility of dissolving the marriage because of the trouble they had been experiencing. Edwin had been bullying and beating my daughter. She helped him a lot, but he would take her money and mistreat her.” The mother says, breaking into tears.
Mugweru describes her slain daughter as the family’s breadwinner, a hardworking woman who supported her relatives and cared for her children.
“She did everything for us. She was a very good mother and daughter,” she says.
She adds that although the family initially believed Edwin was a good partner, her daughter had repeatedly raised concerns about his behavior.
“Anita would call me and tell me she was suffering and that her husband had threatened her life on several occasions. We tried to comfort her and hoped things would change,” Mugweru says.
Winnie Naombe the house help who witnessed the murder says an argument between the two turned violent on the eveining of April 15.
She was in the kitchen when she saw Annitah's husband tucking a knife in his trouser before heading to their bedroom.
"I immediately called out Annitah for her escape, but it was too late. Edwin had already gotten to her and lodged a knife into her chest. Panicked by the incident she tried to make her way out of the house but fell on the apartment stairs," Naombe explains.
Neighbours who came to her aid rushed her to Nairobi Women hospital, but she died about 10 minutes after arrival
Naombe further says, Edwin later arrived at the hospital visibly drunk, but the hospital detained him before calling the police to arrest him.
" The matter was reported to police, who have since processed the scene," she explains
Naombe describes the relationship as abusive marked by unending conflicts with efforts to resolve proving futile.
having lived with Annitah for five months, the househelp says problems started after the woman moved in with Edwin. What initially appeared to be a peaceful home suddenly turned violent with Edwin severally leaving the home after disagreements.
Naombe recounts several incidents of conflict, some of which led to police involvement.
One such incident she said was when Edwin assaulted her over the Easter holiday and was arrested but later released from police custody.
The family is now calling for speedy investigations in order to serve justice to their daughter