The father of a 35-year-old man who allegedly killed his wife and four children on Monday, November 29, has opened up about the character of his son.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, November 30, Muriithi Njuki expressed doubt that his son was capable of committing such an atrocity.
Njuki stated that growing up, Murage, had always been a quiet child who shunned confrontation.
"He is my child, I have always known him as a good person. I don't know him as one to create trouble with anyone," he reiterated.
His sentiments were reiterated by his cousin and neighbours, who described him as a quiet man who loved his family.
However, the family of his wife, Millicent Muthoni, had a different opinion. According to her brother, Richard Mugo, the two had a strained relationship in the days leading to the tragedy.
Mugo revealed that Muthoni had intimated to him that she had constantly fought with her husband and had even made arrangements to return to her parent's home.
"She told me that she had fallen out with her husband, and she was to bring some of her clothes home," he told the media station.
According to a neighbour, the scuffle began on Monday, November 29, in evening, just as Muthoni prepared a meal for supper. Although details of what took place remain scanty, Murage surrendered to the police in Kirinyaga after he allegedly killed his wife and four children, aged between one and 13.
He then led the police to a thicket where he claimed to have buried the murder weapon; an axe.
Gichugu Police Commander, Anthony Mbogo, confirmed that the suspect was being held at the Kirinyaga Police station and was expected to be arraigned in court. However, he noted that are yet to retrieve the axe, used in the multiple homicide.
The bodies of Muthoni and her children, Nelly Wawira (13), Gifton Bundi Muthoni (13), Sheromit Wambui Muthoni (5), and Clifton Njuki Murage (1), were taken to the Kirinyaga County Referral Hospital mortuary.
