A somber mood engulfed Bokemweri village, Mokwerero location, Sameta sub county in Kisii County after robbers invaded the area, killed a widow and stole household items.

Area chief, Charles Nyantabega said Maria Kwamboka Onyiego was killed on Tuesday night by thugs who broke into his son, Albert Maronga’s house and stole electronic equipment.

The chief said Kwamboka, 75, was staying alone, adding it was shocking that the thugs could break into her house and kill such a poor and innocent woman.

“I urge villagers to report whoever is found with the stolen goods so that it can help investigators trace the killers,” Nyantabega said at the scene.

The administrator, accompanied by Kisii University Chaplain, father Lawrence Nyaanga said had lost three of her children within four months and she was still mourning before she was killed.

Douglas Omenya, a son to the deceased said a worker, Thomas Gabriel found the house broken into and when she went to her house, she found it hanging with a mosquito net.

“She was kneeling  with the net on her neck. It appears the killers murdered her and hanged her so that it appears that she committed suicide,” Omenya told People Daily at the scene.

Condemning the incident, Father urged security officers to expedite the probe so that the killers can be unearthed to face the law, stressing it was sad for people to kill the innocent and helpless woman.

“I urge those who committed the heinous crime to confess to avoid the wrath of God. Life is sacred and it is only God who can take it,” Father Nyaanga said.

The priest noted that those who killed the widow will not have peace until they confess and urged villagers to reveal suspects in the area to hasten investigation and justice.

Security officers took the body to Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital (KTRH) for autopsy as villagers wailed and were yet to come to terms with the loss of the widow.

Contacted, Kisii County Police Commander, Jebel Munene said security officers have launched an investigation into the matter to arrest the suspects to face the law.

He urged residents to be calm and embrace peace, saying those found culpable will face the law to deter others.