Killed at home: Fired farmhand sought in employer's murder probe

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

A farmhand who was fired over theft returned to his former employer’s home and allegedly hacked her to death in what the family suspects was a revenge attack.

The body of Lydia Wathitha, 60, a farmer in Thumaita village, Kirinyaga County, was found wrapped in a blanket and dumped in an unused well after she was allegedly killed at her home on August 18, 2026.

The gruesome discovery left her family, friends and neighbours in shock.

According to the family, the farmhand identified as Victor Kayari, 32, was dismissed last Saturday after allegedly stealing Sh10,200 from Ms Wathitha. He had worked for the family for only three months.

“When we hired him, he was doing a good job until recently when he started misbehaving. Money started disappearing until we established that he was the culprit,” said Ms Wathitha’s husband, Mr James Njoka.

The family claim Kayari would enter Ms Wathitha’s bedroom and steal money and other valuables while she was away.

Mr Njoka said the alleged theft was eventually captured on CCTV, showing the farmhand taking money that Ms Wathitha had kept in her bedroom. The family reported the matter to Karumandi Police Station where Mr Kayari was arrested and detained.

However, he was released without being charged after promising to repay the money he had allegedly stolen.

“At the police station, he promised to pay the money after which he was freed. Since we didn’t want to keep a thief working for us, we sacked him immediately,” Mr Njoka said.

The family said they did not expect Mr Kayari to harbour thoughts of harming Ms Wathitha. But on August 18, he allegedly returned to the homestead and attacked her.

After the killing, the suspect allegedly dragged her body from the house and dumped it in the abandoned well in an apparent attempt to conceal the crime.

Ms Wathitha had deep cuts on her jaw and neck as well as six stab wounds to the stomach, according to the family.

Missing wife

Mr Njoka recalled the horror of returning home from Kamugunda market where he operates a business, only to discover that his wife was missing.

“I left my wife alone at home in the morning but when I returned in the evening, she was nowhere to be found. The house had been locked from outside but since I had my key, I opened it and got inside, only to be met by a pool of blood in the living room,” he said.

Mr Njoka searched the rooms but could not find his wife. He alerted relatives and the area assistant chief who arrived at the homestead and joined the search.

Inside the compound, they followed a trail of blood that led to the abandoned well. What they found at the bottom confirmed their worst fears.

Police arrived shortly afterwards and retrieved Ms Wathitha’s body before taking it to Kibugi Funeral Home in Kutus for post-mortem examination.

“I think the farmhand was not happy when he was sacked and decided to do the unthinkable,” Mr Njoka said, adding that CCTV footage had captured the suspect during the attack.

In an apparent attempt to destroy evidence, the suspect allegedly damaged the CCTV cameras before fleeing. However, the family said the footage had already captured him.

The family has demanded justice saying the suspect must be arrested and prosecuted.

“All we want is for the suspect to be pursued and punished in accordance with the law,” Mr Njoka said.

Wathitha's brother Peter Gacibiri said he was at home when he received the news she had died.

“I didn't believe that my sister was dead until I saw her lifeless body,” Mr Gacibiri said, adding that the family would not rest until justice was served.

Area MCA Caroline Muriithi condemned the killing and urged detectives to arrest the suspect. “This is the worst attack to be reported in this village in recent times, and detectives should ensure the culprit is brought to book.”

Kirinyaga East Sub-County police boss Johnson Wachira said the incident was being treated as murder.

He said detectives had launched a manhunt for the suspect and urged the family to remain patient as investigations continued.

Reporting originally appeared via Nation Africa. Read the full source for additional context.