Migori, Kenya – October 5, 2025: A 40-year-old woman from Ntimaru, Migori County, was killed while trying to stop a violent fight between her husband and their teenage son, in what police describe as a brutal act of domestic violence.
Police identified the victim as Christine Mokami, who died instantly after her husband struck her on the head with a sharp object. The man had returned home late and started arguing with their son before turning violent.
“The woman died at the scene from severe head injuries. We are pursuing the suspect and urge him to surrender,” said Migori County Police Commander in a statement to the press.
Domestic Dispute Turns Tragic
Witnesses told investigators that the fight escalated quickly. Mokami’s attempt to calm her husband backfired when he attacked her. Their son tried to defend her but was cut on the hand.
He was treated and discharged from Migori County Referral Hospital, where doctors said he was in stable condition.
Neighbours heard the commotion and rushed in, only to find Mokami already dead. Police transferred her body to the Migori County Mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
Detectives have since launched a manhunt for the suspect. Officers have also increased patrols in the area to prevent retaliatory attacks or further violence.
Read more breaking news on sauce.co.ke/news.
Second Killing in Kwale County
Meanwhile, police in Lungalunga, Kwale County, are investigating the murder of Tsuma Mwijo, a 70-year-old man attacked by unknown assailants on Saturday evening.
Mwijo was seated outside his sister’s house in Kipotoni village when the attackers struck from behind. They slashed his neck, killing him instantly before fleeing the scene.
“We are gathering intelligence to identify the attackers. We suspect the motive is linked to land and inheritance disputes,” said a local police officer.
Residents in Kwale and Kilifi Counties say fear is growing due to similar attacks on old people, many accused of witchcraft or targeted over family property.
Violence Rising
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), hundreds of older people have been killed in the past decade, mainly in coastal and western regions. Most of these attacks stem from superstition, witchcraft accusations, and family feuds.
The National Crime Research Centre (NCRC) warns that economic hardship and cultural stigma continue to drive these killings. Authorities have urged communities to report threats early instead of taking justice into their own hands.
“No belief justifies killing the old. These crimes violate human rights and must be punished,” KNCHR stated in a recent report.
Police have intensified community policing and awareness campaigns to combat these crimes. Chiefs and local elders have been tasked with promoting non-violent conflict resolution and protecting vulnerable residents.
Gender-Based Violence on the Rise
Mokami’s murder adds to Kenya’s rising gender-based violence (GBV) crisis.
According to UN Women, one in three Kenyan women experiences physical or sexual violence in her lifetime. Many incidents go unreported due to stigma, fear, and weak law enforcement.
The National Police Service (NPS) recorded over 4,000 GBV cases last year, with most victims being women in rural areas. Advocacy groups like FIDA-Kenya and Amnesty International have repeatedly called for stronger enforcement of the Protection Against Domestic Violence Act (2015).
“We must end silence around domestic abuse. Community support and awareness can save lives,” said a FIDA spokesperson during a recent GBV campaign.
Police Step Up Response
Police in both Migori and Kwale have vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. Detectives are following leads and have asked the public to share information anonymously through local hotlines.
“We are working closely with residents to track suspects. Justice will be served,” said a senior investigator from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) has also urged county governments to establish community protection centres to address domestic conflicts before they escalate.
Both murders highlight Kenya’s ongoing struggle with domestic violence and rural insecurity, underscoring the urgent need for education, community engagement, and social protection programs to stop further loss of life.
