Investigations have revealed that the woman shot dead by a police officer in Kanyonyoo, Kitui County, was married and had left her husband at home under the pretext of going to work in Kitengela.

The family of the middle-aged woman, Joy Mutisya, is now struggling to come to terms with the tragedy as they seek answers over the events that led to the fatal shooting of their daughter and her friend, Jane Ndanu.

The deceased was married to James Mutisya, and together they had two children — one in Form Three and the other in Grade Six.

Her in laws told Citizen TV that Joy, described as a caring wife and mother, had left their Machakos home claiming she was heading to Kitengela in search of work. Unknown to them, she had instead travelled to Kanyonyoo to meet the suspected boyfriend.

According to sources, the armed officer later confronted Joy at her friend Jane Ndanu’s house, where she had sought refuge.

The confrontation quickly escalated, ending in tragedy when the officer opened fire with his AK 47 rifle, killing both women on the spot.

“Askari alikuwa anataka kupiga Joy, sasa huyo madam alikuwa anamzuia asimpige ndio akawaua wote hapo hapo,” Stanley Kiilu, a witness, said.

Joy's father-in-law, Jonathan Waema added, "Amepigwa risasi mingi sana mpaka hatuelewi… alikuwa anafunzwa namna gani kama anaweza fyatua risasi na auwe wasichana wawili.”

Back home, Joy's husband and family are struggling to come to terms with the heartbreaking circumstances that led her to Kitui and ultimately to her death. The weight of the tragedy and the burden now left behind is immense for the young family.

“Sisi hatujawai kuwa na shida na huyu msichana wetu… hatujui ilifikaje ndio huyu askari akaua huyu bibi wa kijana wangu," said Waema.

Witnesses say the officer fired multiple rounds, abruptly ending the confrontation in a shocking double murder.

He then fled the scene, abandoning his rifle in a nearby thicket. Investigators are still pursuing the suspect, with sources indicating he has so far managed to evade the detectives’ dragnet.

“Alikosana na girlfriend wake, kisha baadaye akamuua na pia kumuua yule alikuwa rafiki wake na kutoroka," explained Kitui Police Commander Martha Nge’tich.

Peter Mwania, a family member, decried, "Polisi wale wanafaa watulinde na sasa ndio wanatuua.”

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“Ameuwawa na mtu wa serikali, serikali yenyewe ndio inachunguza, sasa hatuelewi lakini tunataka haki," added Waema.

Meanwhile, an autopsy is expected on Thursday as the two families of Joy and Jane prepare burials for their loved ones, hopeful that the suspect will be arrested soon.