An unidentified man was beaten to death in Ihumbu in Murang’a County on Tuesday night after allegedly killing his mother and burying her body next to the cow shed.

Media reports have it that the man committed the heinous act a few days after being released from jail. The reason behind the murder has, however, not been established.

The incident irked locals, who swiftly responded and beat the suspect to death. The incident happened a few kilometres from Gaturo village, where a similar act was reported a few days ago.

Patrick Irungu, 36, allegedly hacked his mother, Magdalene Wagechi, to death over a plate of ugali. According to the family members, Wangechi had cooked bananas, but Irungu demanded ugali.

Murang’a woman kills her baby to be free to go work in Saudi Arabia

The two started arguing before Irungu grabbed a machete and beheaded his mother, leading to her death.

“After neighbours recovered from the initial shock, they pursued the man who had sneaked outside the house in an attempt to escape,” Murang’a South Deputy County Commissioner Gitona Murungi said.

Police arrested the suspect, who was further detained for interrogation and arraignment in court. Residents have lamented increased insecurity in the region, attributing the influx of murder cases to substance abuse and unemployment.

They are now urging the county government to intervene and solve the menace.