Six suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder of the son of a prominent Kitui businessman as detectives intensify investigations into a killing that has heightened security concerns in Kitui town.
The victim, a young businessman and alumnus of Kisasi Boys High School, was found dead after his body was discovered lying along the sideway outside Igloos Hotel in Kitui’s Bondeni area in the early hours of Sunday. Police are treating the incident as murder.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the deceased had spent part of Saturday night drinking at a local entertainment joint in the nearby Slaughter Estate before leaving while heavily intoxicated. His body was later discovered outside the hotel, triggering a homicide investigation.
A senior investigator familiar with the probe told Channel 15 News that six suspects have so far been arrested as detectives widen investigations and pursue additional leads to establish the motive behind the killing and identify all those involved.
Police believe the murder may have been carefully planned and are retracing the victim’s movements in the hours leading to his death. Detectives are also recording statements from witnesses and analysing other evidence collected from the scene.
Investigators are pursuing several lines of inquiry, including whether the victim was lured to the area before he was killed and whether people known to him may have played a role in the crime.
Although police had not issued an official statement by the time of publication, sources indicated that investigations were progressing and that more arrests could follow as detectives continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding the killing.
The murder has renewed concerns over security in the Slaughter Estate and Bondeni areas, where residents have in recent months raised alarm over a series of unexplained deaths, including those of several women whose cases remain under investigation.
Residents have urged security agencies to expedite investigations and increase police patrols to restore public confidence and address growing fears over violent crime in the area.
The body was moved to the mortuary pending a post-mortem examination as detectives continue with investigations.
