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Wife, Brother, and Watchman Held as DCI Probe Murder of Wealthy Trans Nzoia Farmer

Joseph Njenga Njuguna, 68, was found dead in his matrimonial bed with severe machete wounds after hosting relatives for his daughter's dowry ceremony.

KITALE, Kenya — Detectives are investigating the brutal killing of prominent farmer Joseph Njenga Njuguna, 68, at his home on Kiptugut Farm in Kimase Village, Endebess Sub-County, after police arrested three people in connection with the case.

The suspects are the deceased's wife, Mary Muthoni Ng'ethe, her brother Michael Maina, and the family's security guard, Mboshe Mwangi.

The three were presented before the Kitale High Court on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, where police obtained an order allowing them to remain in custody for 14 days as investigations continue.

The detention order does not amount to a finding of guilt. The suspects have not been convicted of any offence.

Farmer found dead in matrimonial bed

According to police accounts cited in the investigation, Njenga had hosted family members on Saturday, August 29, for the completion of his daughter's traditional dowry ceremony.

At approximately 9pm, he returned to his Kiptugut Farm home after driving several of his guests back towards Kitale.

Police say he briefly spoke with the farm's watchman before retiring to bed.

The following morning, Sunday, August 30, he was found dead in his matrimonial bedroom.

Investigators reported that he had sustained deep machete wounds to the head.

An undisclosed amount of money reportedly collected during the family ceremony was also missing.

No apparent signs of forced entry

One of the key areas of the investigation is how the attackers gained access to the house.

According to the information under investigation, detectives found the doors and windows intact, with no obvious signs of forced entry.

The main door was reportedly found wide open.

Investigators are therefore examining whether the assailants had access to the house, were allowed inside, or had assistance from someone familiar with the property.

Police are also investigating the possibility that whoever carried out the attack knew that money from the day's family ceremony was being kept in the house.

Wife found unconscious near Kitale

The circumstances surrounding Mary Ng'ethe's whereabouts have also become a major focus of the investigation.

Police say she was not at the farm when her husband's body was discovered.

She was later found unconscious near the Kitale-Webuye roundabout, approximately two kilometres outside Kitale, where a passing motorist reportedly rescued her and took her to hospital.

According to the account provided to investigators, Ng'ethe said she had been abducted.

Police are examining the circumstances surrounding that account. The information provided for this report says medical examinations did not identify obvious external injuries or signs of a physical struggle.

That finding, however, does not by itself establish that an abduction was fabricated, and the circumstances surrounding her condition remain subject to investigation.

Detectives are expected to examine medical evidence, witness accounts, timelines and other forensic evidence to establish what happened.

Watchman's movements under scrutiny

The farm's security guard, Mboshe Mwangi, is also being questioned because police say he was the last person known to have spoken to Njenga before the farmer went to bed.

Investigators are examining what the guard saw and heard during the night and whether anyone entered or left the property.

Among the questions being investigated is whether the guard was unaware of the attack, failed to respond, was compromised, or had any other involvement.

These are investigative lines of inquiry and should not be interpreted as evidence that the guard participated in the killing.

Why the three suspects were detained for 14 days

The suspects were brought before court after police sought additional time to complete investigations.

The court's detention order allows investigators to continue holding the suspects while they pursue evidence.

Such proceedings are not the same as a criminal trial and do not require the suspects to enter a final plea of guilty or not guilty.

Under Kenya's constitutional framework, a person arrested and held in custody must generally be presented before a court as required by law, with continued detention requiring judicial authority in circumstances where police seek additional investigative time.

DCI continues forensic investigation, with investigation is expected to focus on several areas, including the circumstances under which the attackers entered the house, the missing money reportedly collected during the dowry ceremony, forensic examination of the bedroom and other parts of the property, phone and communication records, circumstances surrounding the wife's discovery near Kitale, security guard's movements and account of the night, statements from family members and other people who attended the ceremony and any forensic evidence recovered from the scene

The central question for investigators is what happened between Njenga's return home at about 9pm on Saturday and the discovery of his body on Sunday morning.

 

Kenya Mails Editorial Note*

The allegations and investigative theories contained in this report are attributed to police and investigative accounts. The three suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of law. Kenya Mails will update this story as verified information emerges from investigators and the courts.