Nakuru businessman accused of stabbing partner 18 times surrenders to police

A Nakuru businessman who is accused of stabbing his partner 18 times has been arrested over attempted murder allegations levelled against him.

Mr Elias Mutugi Njeru is the main suspect in the attempted murder of Florence Wanjiku Gichohi, and was arrested after he surrendered himself at Nakuru Police Station, accompanied by his lawyer.

According to a statement from the National Police Service (NPS), Mr Njeru, the accused, turned himself in on Monday, November 25, accompanied by his lawyers from Gakuhi Chege and Associates Advocates.

The statement added that he was in custody at Nakuru Police Station. He will later be handed over to Menengai Police Station, which is handling the case.

"Today 25/11/2024 one Elias Mutugi Njeru male adult and a suspect in the attempted murder case of Florence Wanjiku Gichohi reported at Menengai Police Station, surrendered at Nakuru Police Station in the company of his lawyer Gakuhi Chege and Associates Advocates," the NPS said.

"He has been re-arrested by Police and placed in custody while appearing fit, pending collection by Menengai Police Station."

The attempted murder was reported at Kiamunyi Police Post in Nakuru on Friday. Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim was attacked by her boyfriend, Elias Njeru Mutugi, who is also her business partner at Indigenous Land Properties Limited.

"The incident occurred at her rented house in the Olive area following a domestic dispute. She is currently in hospital in a serious condition," police added.

Mr Njeru is accused of stabbing the mother of two 18 times before leaving her for dead at her rented apartment at Olive Inn in Kiamunyi on Thursday evening.

She was stabbed in the right leg, in the back, two deep cuts in the head and a cut on her left wrist that nearly chopped off her fingers.

Wanjiku, who is currently in hospital, revealed that the attack stemmed from unresolved business and relationship disputes. She said she had ended their relationship and asked Njeru to pay back the money he owed her, which is said to have triggered the violent attack.

The attack has been condemned by district leaders who are calling for Wanjiku to be brought to justice.

"We will stand by the family and when the security agents are done with their investigations, we will volunteer pro bono to represent her family," said Gender Principal Secretary (PS) Anna Wangombe.

It is the latest in a series of similar attacks that have left many maimed and others dead, with the government pledging to tackle the growing crisis of gender-based violence, which in some cases has escalated to femicide.