A 32-year-old man was fatally stabbed Monday morning in Mathare slums, Nairobi, while escorting his three-year-old son to a daycare center. The victim, identified as Michael Oworo, was discovered lying in a pool of blood while his son stood nearby crying, witnesses said.
According to police and locals, Oworo was attacked by an assailant during what is suspected to have been a robbery. He reportedly resisted the attack, leading to a fatal stab wound to the chest.
At the scene, police found an open lunchbox containing the child’s food for the day—ugali and omena—scattered on the dusty road. Oworo, a mason and single father, had been caring for his son since infancy, often dropping him at the daycare before heading to construction sites for work.
The murder sparked protests from residents of Mathare 4A, who temporarily blocked police from retrieving the body, citing rising insecurity in the area. “He worked hard to feed his son. This insecurity must be addressed,” said Felix Popo, a local advocate for youth transformation.
After negotiations, officers were able to transport the body to the Nairobi Funeral Home. Nairobi DCI head Benson Kasyoki confirmed that detectives are pursuing the suspect, who is known to the community.
