Family of State House Attack Suspect Pleads for Compassion, Citing Mental Illness

The family members of the suspect who speared a General Service Unit (GSU) officer outside State House have broken their silence, revealing his prolonged struggle with mental illness and their shock at the dramatic attack.

Relatives of 56-year-old Kithuka Kimunyi said they learned about the tragedy through his wife, who revealed that he had left their home in Mukelenzu village, Kalawa, Makueni County, on Sunday without explaining his plans.

“The wife of the deceased told us what had transpired. She informed us that the husband had told her that on Sunday, he would be going to Nairobi, but did not reveal what he was going to do,” his niece, Catherine Mutisya, said.

She added that the family lost contact with him soon after he left.

“The wife tried to reach him on the phone but could not find him until around 5 p.m., when she received a call from an unknown woman asking if she knew Kithuka Kimunyi,” Mutisya explained.

“Later, we were informed that he had been seen on TV after being arrested by officers for killing a GSU officer,” she said.

Mutisya disclosed that Kimunyi had battled mental health challenges in the past.

“Kithuka Kimunyi had been sickly and had mental issues, but he was treated and got better. He even resumed work. However, recently, he abandoned his business and began doing manual jobs at home,” she said.

She described the family’s grief and disbelief over the incident. “Sisi kama familia tuliona ni mtu mwenye tabia nzuri, hawezi kosea mtu. Hiyo kitendo iliyofanyika imetuhuzunisha sana,” she said.

Mutisya appealed to the government for compassion. “Tunomba serikali wamwachilie tujue vile tutamfanya, tumpeleke hospitali atibiwe ndio asirudie hiyo kitendo siku ingine. Pia tunahitaji maombi kwa sababu ako na shida ya kiakili,” she pleaded.

The attack took place on Monday, October 13, at around 11 a.m. outside Gate D of State House along Dennis Pritt Road. Kimunyi, disguised as a street family member and carrying a gunny sack, approached a security checkpoint where Officer Ramadhan Hamisi Matanka and two colleagues were screening vehicles.

On October 14, Kimunyi, also identified as Kithuka Kimunyi Musyimi, appeared at Kibera Law Courts in a wheelchair under a miscellaneous application for murder. Principal Magistrate Christine Njagi granted detectives 14 days to collect witness statements, conduct forensic analysis, and carry out a psychiatric evaluation. He will receive treatment at Mbagathi Hospital for injuries sustained during his arrest.

Meanwhile, Officer Matanka was buried the same day at Kajiado Cemetery after prayers at Kajiado Mosque. His burial ceremony was marked by a three-volley salute from GSU officers, honoring his dedicated service to the country.

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