A cloud of grief and anger hangs over Mariari Village in Kiambere Ward, Embu County, following the tragic death of a 96-year-old woman, Sabina Njoki Kisangi. Her family is demanding justice after she was brutally assaulted in broad daylight on December 9 by a young man reportedly well-known in the village.
According to the family, Sabina and another woman were attacked without provocation by the suspect. The assault left Sabina with severe head injuries. Her youngest daughter, Dorcas Wanjiru, recounted the harrowing ordeal, explaining how both women were initially rushed to Kiambere Hospital before being transferred to Embu Level Five Hospital for specialized care.
Despite the medical intervention, Sabina succumbed to her injuries a week later, leaving her family devastated. The other victim remains hospitalized, reportedly on the path to recovery.
A Family’s Plea for Action
Gathering at Embu Level Five Hospital Mortuary to collect Sabina’s body for burial, Wanjiru expressed her family’s distress over the lack of justice. She lamented that the suspect, whose identity is known, is yet to be apprehended despite the matter being reported to Kiritiri Police Station.
“It is unfortunate that the suspect is still roaming freely in the village. We fear he might harm others if urgent action is not taken,” she said, her voice tinged with fear and frustration.
Sabina’s eldest son, Peterson Munyi, echoed these sentiments, accusing the police of neglecting their duty. He urged the government to intervene and ensure the suspect is brought to book.
“What is bothering us is that our mother did not die out of sickness or natural conditions. She was attacked, and yet no action has been taken against the perpetrator. We need justice for her,” Munyi said.
A Community in Fear
The incident has not only left Sabina’s family in mourning but also sent shockwaves through the community. Residents of Mariari Village are grappling with fear, knowing that the suspect remains at large.
Community leaders and neighbors have joined the family in calling for swift justice, emphasizing the need for police to prioritize the case to restore a sense of safety in the village.
Calls for Accountability
The family’s frustrations highlight a broader issue of delayed justice in cases of violence in rural areas. Local human rights groups have noted that such delays can erode public trust in law enforcement and embolden perpetrators.
Sabina’s case, they argue, underscores the urgent need for authorities to strengthen their response to violent crimes, particularly those targeting vulnerable individuals like the elderly.
A Grim Reminder
Sabina Njoki Kisangi was described by her family as a loving matriarch who played an integral role in their lives. Her brutal death is a stark reminder of the risks that even the most defenseless members of society face in the absence of swift justice.
As the family prepares to lay her to rest, their plea remains unwavering: justice must be served. They hope their mother’s case will not become another statistic of unresolved crimes but rather a rallying point for better accountability and community protection.
Conclusion
The death of Sabina Njoki has left a deep scar on her family and the Mariari Village community. Their cry for justice serves as a somber call for action, not only for the police to apprehend the suspect but also for systemic changes to ensure that no other family has to endure such pain.
Until the suspect is arrested and prosecuted, Sabina’s family and community will continue to live in fear, haunted by the memory of a heinous crime that took the life of a beloved elder.
