Prominent taxi driver killed by unknown people, one suspect in custody.

Detectives from Thika digging out some evidence at the home of the Late Francis Kariuki, a taxi driver who was murdered in the wee hours of Monday Morning. INSET: A file picture of the the deceased.

A prominent taxi driver was on Wednesday morning killed in cold blood attack by unknown people inside his compound in Section 9 estate, Thika town.

The gangsters, who seemed to have been waiting from the inside, waylaid Francis Kariuki Wainaina (Karis) as he was the gate for the wife to drive into the compound.

According to the deceased’s wife, Naomi Wanjiku Chege, the couple were just getting home from a function at around 3am when the deceased got out of the car to open the gate for her only for him to fail to do so, leaving her alone in the car.

“I was the driver at the moment and Karis got out of the car to open the gate. I got concerned after he delayed from the inside and started hooting the car horn but he never came out nor opened the gate,” narrated Wanjiku.

It was at this juncture that she got out and opened the gate only to find him lying on the ground with a pool of blood oozing from the back of his head.

She immediately raised alarm to attract her neighbours who responded and rushed him to the hospital.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that Karis, 37, had a very deep cut at the back of his head, just slightly above his neck. He was pronounced dead on arrival and his body taken to General Kago Funeral Home.

His wife says that she never saw anyone nor hear any commotion and cannot tell how many the attackers were.

“I never saw anyone and I cannot also tell from which section they escaped from the compound.”

Apart from the victim’s compound, all the neighbouring houses are guarded by night guards and it still remains a mystery how all this happened without anyone smelling a rat.

Confirming the incident, Thika OCPD Willy Simba said that the motive of the attack is still unknown but the police have arrested one female suspect who is assisting with their investigations.

We really cannot tell the motive of this murder but we are still investigating the matter and will update you of any progress. Otherwise, we have one female suspect in our custody who is assisting us with our interrogation,” said the OCPD.

Kariuki’s colleague, Nderitu Wahome described the deceased as a very humble and dedicated person who had a great vision especially concerning the development of a company that they had started as taxi drivers and small-scale traders.

“He had a great vision for himself and his family. Let me say that the news of his death has really taken us by shock. He is the brains behind ‘Kwa Mwendwa Investment Ltd Company’, a company we started and he has been of great help to me as their chairman,” said Nderitu.

Nderitu says that though they were very close with Karis, the deceased has never shared any insecurity concerns with him and therefore could not comprehend why anyone would want to kill or even harm him in any way.

According to the residents living around, the area has been prone to frequent muggings especially by bodaboda riders who mugged and snatched women purses and cellphones between 7pm and 9pm especially as they walked from the town centre towards Chania Tourist Longue.

“I personally have lost two phones in that section of the road,” said Karis’ wife.

She also claims that their compound, as well as those of their neighbours, has been victims of night raids where thieves jumped over the fences and made away with car batteries and other accessories.

Area MP, Eng. Patrick Wainaina, through his Personal Assistant John Mwangi Njuguna, promised to liaise with the area security agencies to ensure that issues of insecurity were comprehensively addressed, not only within Section 9 but also with the CBD and other estates where residents have been lamenting of the runaway insecurity.

He also promised to relook on the issue of street lighting and police patrols so as to enhance security within the constituency.

“We are going to sit down with the security agencies and map out a very comprehensive way forward on matters security, even if it means soliciting for more personnel and patrol vehicles from the national government,” said Mwangi. 

The deceased leaves behind a widow and four kids, the eldest being 16 while the youngest is 3.