Police in Kirinyaga County have arrested a man accused of fatally stabbing his friend following an argument over a KSh 50 debt in Mutitu Village, Kirinyaga Central Constituency.

According to residents, the two men, identified as Jacob Maina and John Wachira, were close friends and worked together as power saw operators.

The confrontation reportedly turned violent when Maina demanded payment of KSh 50, which he claimed was his share from a Ksh. 200 payment they had received after cutting a neighbor’s tree.

“Maina asked for his Ksh. 50, but Wachira refused. They started arguing, and suddenly Wachira pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the chest,” said William Mwangi, a local resident. “Maina died on the spot.”

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Another resident, Samuel Kamure, a coffee farmer in the area, said the community was shocked by the incident. “These two were good friends. We never imagined such a thing could happen between them,” he said.

Villagers described the tragedy as the first of its kind in the peaceful community. “He just wanted to go drink. That’s why he was asking for the Ksh. 50,” said Mary Wanjohi, another resident.

Police officers from Mutitu Police Station arrested the suspect, who appeared stunned after the incident. He was later taken to Kerugoya Police Station, where he is being held in custody.

The body of the deceased was moved to Kerugoya Hospital Mortuary for postmortem examination as investigations continue.