By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

The victim is believed to have been killed following a confrontation before his body was hidden in an apparent attempt to conceal the crime. The gruesome discovery has left the local community demanding justice.

Confirming the incident, Embu West Sub-County Police Commander Vincent Kitili said detectives have arrested the prime suspect, who is now assisting police with investigations.

Kitili said the case began as a missing person report after a family member of the deceased raised concerns over his disappearance. Police immediately launched investigations to establish his whereabouts.

According to the police commander, officers visited the homestead where the deceased worked and questioned those living and working there as part of the investigation.

During the inquiries, detectives noticed that the deceased's co-workers had visible injuries on his body, raising suspicion that he could have been involved in the disappearance.

After intensive interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed and led detectives to a shallow grave where he had allegedly buried the victim's body.

Police said the suspect Josphat Kamenju had planted banana stems over the freshly covered grave in what investigators believe was an attempt to disguise the burial site and avoid detection.

The body was later exhumed in the presence of detectives, crime scene investigators and family members before being taken to Embu Level 5 Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem examination.

Kitili said preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect and the deceased Lawrence Murimi lived together at the workplace and had reportedly been involved in a confrontation on the night before the fatal incident. He assured the public that investigations were ongoing and that the suspect will be arraigned in court once the probe is complete, emphasizing that the law will take its full course.

The deceased's sister, Margaret Muthoni, condemned the killing, describing it as a cruel and inhumane act that has devastated the family. She appealed to investigators to ensure those responsible are held fully accountable.

As police continue with investigations to establish the motive behind the killing, residents have been left in shock by the brutal incident, with many calling for swift justice for the slain farm worker.

By JOSPHINE MWENDE 

The governor made the appeal during the graduation ceremony of boda boda riders who had completed a county-sponsored road safety and rider training programme at the KEFRI Institute in Kitui Town.

The programme, implemented by the Kitui County Government through the Ministry of Transport and Boda Boda, trained and facilitated the licensing of 783 riders. A total of 1,200 riders had registered for the training, but 417 dropped out, adding to the number of unlicensed operators in the county.

Governor Malombe noted that despite the growing number of boda boda operators, most riders are yet to obtain driving licences, exposing them to arrests and limiting their job opportunities."Out of the 13,889 registered boda boda riders in Kitui County, only 2,968 are licensed, while 10,921, representing 79 per cent, are operating without licences. This puts their businesses at risk because they can be arrested for failing to comply with road safety regulations. I urge licensed riders to encourage their colleagues to acquire driving licences," he said.

The governor also urged riders to insure both themselves and their motorcycles, describing insurance as an essential road safety measure that offers financial protection in the event of accidents. "Accidents can happen at any time. Having insurance helps reduce the financial burden after an accident and enables riders to resume their livelihoods more easily," he said.

Governor Malombe expressed concern over the low number of women in the sector, revealing that only 311 of the county's 13,909 registered boda boda riders are women, representing just two per cent of the workforce."This sector has very few women, yet it provides a good opportunity to earn a living. I encourage more women to join the boda boda business, and I urge men already in the sector to support and mentor women who are willing to venture into this trade," he said.

To strengthen the industry, the governor said the county government had reached an agreement with boda boda leaders to establish a Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (Sacco), which would help riders access financial services and government support more efficiently. He said the Sacco would encourage a culture of saving, enable members to access affordable loans and provide opportunities for riders to purchase motorcycles and expand their businesses."There is pride in building your future through collective effort. By saving together, members will be able to access loans, invest in motorcycles and improve their livelihoods," he said.

Governor Malombe further urged riders to uphold professionalism and safeguard the reputation of the sector by working closely with security agencies to eliminate criminal elements."Respect your work and do not allow criminals to misuse this sector. Report offenders to the relevant authorities and help maintain peace and dignity within the boda boda industry. I also urge your leadership to thoroughly vet members so that criminals do not infiltrate the sector," he said. 

By JOHN MUSEMBI 

Strong southerly to south-easterly winds will blow across the region at a speed of of 25knots or 12.5m/s.

It is not lost on the weatherman that Mwingi North and Kitui East subcounties reported the highest daytime temperatures while Kitui Central had the least temperature readings.

Some wards that were among the highest in terms of daytime temperatures were Ngomeni, Tseikuru and Tharaka.  They are all from Mwingi North. Kitui East's Zombe/Mwitika ward, Voo/Kyamatu and Endau Malalani were also cited as having high temperatures temperatures between July 28 and August 3.

Mutonguni hills and parts of Kitui Central subcounty had the least temperatures the previous week.

By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

Speaking after a Sunday Mass at St. Joseph's Catholic Cathedral in Meru Town, Ruku said Uhuru and other leaders from Mt Kenya region had traversed the country assuring Kenyans that after Uhuru completed his constitutionally mandated 10 years in office, President Ruto would equally be supported to serve his two five-year terms.

He questioned why the two leaders were now, in his view, seeking to rally the region against President Ruto before the completion of his constitutional tenure. "They went across the country asking Kenyans to support this arrangement. Why are they now making the people of Mt Kenya appear as though they cannot honour a promise they made before the nation?" Ruku posed.

The Cabinet Secretary accused the two leaders of spreading what he termed as false narratives that the Kenya Kwanza administration had sidelined the Mt Kenya region, saying such claims were intended to create divisions and advance personal political interests rather than promote development.

Ruku further said that Gachagua was turning his personal political troubles into a community issue following his removal from office. He argued that the former Deputy President was removed by Members of Parliament over what he described as failure to effectively discharge his constitutional responsibilities and should not drag the entire Mt Kenya region into his political battles.

The Cabinet Secretary maintained that President Ruto had no dispute with the Mt Kenya region, stating  the country's most influential ministries, state departments and government positions are  headed by leaders from Mt Kenya West. He added that Deputy President Kithure Kindiki occupies the only top-ranking office currently held by a leader from Mt Kenya East.

Ruku further stated that Gachagua and some leaders from Mt Kenya West were seeking to undermine Deputy President Kindiki by subjecting him to constant criticism and disrespect while simultaneously urging residents to abandon the Kenya Kwanza administration.

He said such political attacks were divisive and insisted that Mt Kenya East would remain firmly in government and continue supporting President Ruto's development agenda.

"Mt Kenya East will remain in government. We shall continue supporting President Ruto because our priority is development, unity and ensuring our people benefit from government programmes," he said.

Ruku maintained that President Ruto had continued implementing development projects across the country, including in the Mt Kenya East region that had been been neglected, quoting data from KNBS.

He urged residents to reject leaders whom he accused of pursuing personal political interests through misinformation, expressing confidence that the Mt Kenya region would overwhelmingly support President Ruto's re-election in the 2027 General Election.

By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

Speaking in Mauche, Njoro Constituency, Nakuru County, Ruku accused Gachagua of attempting to hold the Mt. Kenya region at ransom through what he described as divisive politics and sustained attacks against the Kenya Kwanza administration.

The Cabinet Secretary dismissed claims that the Mt. Kenya region had fallen out with President William Ruto, arguing that the differences were personal to Gachagua following his impeachment from office. "There is no problem between the Kikuyu community and President William Ruto. The problem is one individual, Rigathi Gachagua, who has a personal grievance after he was impeached for failing to discharge his responsibilities as the Deputy President," Ruku said.

He noted that both Gachagua and Kindiki come from the Mt. Kenya region but said the two leaders had demonstrated contrasting records in office.

According to Ruku, Kindiki has distinguished himself through effective leadership, loyalty and service as Deputy President, earning President Ruto's confidence, while Gachagua failed to meet the expectations of the office.

The Cabinet Secretary further accused the former Deputy President of pursuing politics driven by vengeance and hatred, urging him to abandon divisive rhetoric and instead support national unity and development.

Ruku maintained that Kindiki remains President Ruto's trusted deputy and that his position in government was secure. He dismissed speculation over the Deputy President's future, saying President Ruto had full confidence in Kindiki and intends to retain him as his running mate in the 2027 General Election.

He also rejected assertions that the Mt. Kenya region was abandoning the Kenya Kwanza administration, insisting that residents continue to support the government's development agenda and appreciate ongoing infrastructure and economic programmes.

Ruku urged leaders to focus on uniting the country instead of engaging in political campaigns that foster division, saying cooperation between leaders and citizens would accelerate development and improve the livelihoods of Kenyans.

He added that the Mt. Kenya region has benefited significantly from key government appointments and development initiatives under the Kenya Kwanza administration, and called on residents to safeguard those gains by remaining united behind President Ruto, Deputy President Kindiki and the government.