Christmas Day is usually a time of joy, family, and peace. But in Muragara, Kirinyaga County, the holiday ended in tragedy after a man lost his life over a debt of just KSh60.
Police are now hunting for a woman suspected of stabbing and killing the man during a heated dispute that turned deadly. The incident has shocked residents and raised serious concerns about how small arguments are escalating into fatal violence.
According to police reports, the incident happened on Thursday, December 25, in a local drinking joint within Muragara. What began as a simple disagreement over a small bill quickly spiraled out of control.
Witnesses said the victim and the suspect were known to each other and were believed to be lovers. They had been drinking at the establishment when a disagreement arose over payment of a bill amounting to KSh60.
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When the woman reportedly asked the man to clear the bill, he allegedly refused. The situation then became tense, drawing attention from people around them.
One witness told police that the victim became aggressive after refusing to pay. According to his account, the man confronted and assaulted the woman, causing alarm among those present.
“The victim refused to pay and started confronting the woman. I intervened and told him to stop assaulting her. Shortly after, I heard him complain that he had been stabbed,” one witness recounted.
Moments later, the situation took a tragic turn. The woman allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed the man, inflicting deep wounds.
The victim collapsed at the scene and died instantly due to the severity of the injuries. Efforts to save him were unsuccessful.
Another witness, who is also the victim’s cousin, said they were celebrating Christmas nearby when they heard loud commotion from the neighborhood.
He rushed to the scene only to find his cousin lying on the ground, badly injured and already dead. The shock of losing a loved one on Christmas Day left the family devastated.
After the stabbing, the suspect fled the scene and disappeared. Her whereabouts remain unknown, and police have since launched an intensive manhunt.
Authorities have appealed to members of the public to share any information that could help trace and arrest the suspect. They say cooperation from residents is crucial for justice to be served.
The victim’s body was taken to a nearby mortuary, where it is being preserved as investigations continue. A post-mortem examination is expected to determine the exact cause of death.
This tragic case is not an isolated incident in Kirinyaga County. In recent years, the region has recorded several violent deaths linked to minor debts and domestic disputes.
In November 2025, a man was stabbed to death over a KSh50 debt in Kiawaruguru village, Kirinyaga Central. The suspect in that case was reportedly the victim’s close friend.
During that altercation, police said the suspect used a kitchen knife to stab his inseparable friend, killing him on the spot over the small amount of money.
Earlier, in 2023, another tragic incident shocked the county when a woman stabbed her boyfriend to death following a domestic dispute. She later surrendered to the police.
These repeated cases have sparked concern among community leaders, elders, and security officials, who say violence is becoming an alarming response to simple disagreements.
Local leaders have urged residents to exercise restraint, especially during emotional moments, and to avoid resolving disputes through violence.
They are encouraging people to seek help from chiefs, elders, or the police when conflicts arise, instead of taking matters into their own hands.
As police continue investigations into the Muragara killing, the community remains tense, mourning a life lost over a debt that could have been resolved peacefully.
The tragic Christmas Day incident now stands as a painful reminder of how quickly anger can turn deadly, and how important peaceful conflict resolution has become in Kenyan communities.
