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Love triangle: Cop run over by car after finding his city wife with colleague


After months away from his family, a police officer returned home only to be confronted by a nightmare.

Corporal Eric Mureithi of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Mwingi, Kitui County, who travelled to Nairobi for a family reunion on January 6, now uses crutches and is nursing serious injuries to his head and arms.

He sustained the injuries after being reportedly attacked by a fellow officer whom he found with his wife on the day he arrived in the city.

But Cpl Mureithi’s apparent love triangle story has taken a twist. He now accuses his seniors of refusing to investigate the attack despite officially reporting it as an assault and attempted murder.

The Sunday Nation spoke to some of his colleagues, who requested anonymity because they are not allowed to talk to journalists.

One of them said Cpl Mureithi left his Mwingi work station on January 5.

FAMILY REUNION

Besides the family reunion, he wanted to take his son to secondary school. The boy sat his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examination last year.

Cpl Mureithi left Mwingi with loads of luggage and needed to hire a vehicle.

“He stood by the road for hours. Finally, Mureithi flagged down a lorry that was heading to Nairobi from Garissa,” the police officer said.

“The crew of the truck agreed to take the goods to his residence in Nairobi at an extra fee.”

He added that the lorry arrived in the city on Saturday at 1am.

“As it approached the police lines, my friend saw an oncoming vehicle and realised it belonged to his wife,” the officer said.

Nevertheless, the truck with Cpl Murithi reached Ngomongo police quarters and he walked to his house.

He reportedly called his wife but her phone went unanswered.

“After several attempts, he decided to walk to the nearby shopping centre which is usually frequented by officers during late hours. He spotted the car on a dark secluded spot minutes later. He switched on his torch and approached it,” the police officer added.

According to the account, when Cpl Murithi was just a few metres from the car, the engine roared and headlights switched on.

WIFE IN PASSENGER SEAT

“He saw his wife in the passenger seat. The man she was with — a fellow corporal Murithi had known for years — was driving,” the police officer said.

“Before he could take a step, the vehicle sped towards Murithi. He jumped on the bonnet and held onto the wipers, but instead of stopping, the driver accelerated,” the colleague said.

He added that after a kilometre of speeding, the driver applied emergency brakes.

“He was thrown off the vehicle and landed metres away. The vehicle then ran over his leg and sped off,” the officer said.

A boda boda rushed Cpl Murithi to Neema Hospital, Kasarani.

Another rider sped after the vehicle and took down its registration.

The two boda bodas have recorded statements at Kasarani Police Station.

The Sunday Nation learnt that the issue was being investigated at the DCI headquarters on Kiambu Road.

According to our source, Cpl Murithi’s wife has not been seen at home or station since then. Efforts to reach her by phone yesterday were futile.

Fearing he will not get justice, Cpl Murithi took to social media, where he posted details of his horrifying ordeal.

GOD WILL DECIDE

“Thank God I am still alive. It is only God who will decide when I die and not the two who did this to me,” one of his posts on Facebook reads.

He also posted photos of his injuries.

Cpl Murithi’s head is heavily bandaged, the ankle has a swell and the hands have lacerations.

Our source said Cpl Murithi’s bosses in Kitui want back to work immediately despite the fact that doctors have recommended he take a break.

The officer can barely stand without support and relies on painkillers.

His colleagues say the registration of his wife’s car has not been circulated as happens when a vehicle is used to commit a crime.

Contacted yesterday, Kasarani OCPD Robinson Mboloi said he had been briefed about the incident.

“I am away from office but the matter is being handled by the complaints office at DCI headquarters,” Mr Mboloi said.