A man allegedly chased and slaughtered his estranged wife as a mob watched helplessly in the Mirimaini area of Juja, Kiambu County.
The man later attempted to die by suicide by stabbing himself in the Saturday, February 17 afternoon incident, witnesses and police said.
The woman was identified as a resident of the area.
The suspect was arrested by residents and police and he was rushed to the hospital, police said.
Witnesses said the suspect approached his estranged wife while she was visiting a woman who lived in the neighbourhood.
He then pulled out a knife and a machete he was carrying in a bag and began stabbing her in the neck.
The woman ran for her dear life while screaming for help and sought refuge at a friend’s house.
Despite her attempts to seek refuge in her friend’s house and scream for help, she was overpowered and part of her throat was cut, police said.
This is after the man pursued her to the house, locked it before embarking on his attack on her.
When neighbours intervened, it was too late as the suspect attempted to kill himself.
Police officers from Juja police station responded to a distress call, arrested the assailant and took him to Gatundu Hospital.
He was then on the floor wreathing in pain after stabbing himself in the stomach and chest.
The body of the deceased was moved to General Kago Funeral Parlour.
Police said the two murder weapons (a kitchen knife and a panga) stained with blood were recovered from the scene.
Kiambu police commander Michael Muchiri said the motive of the incident is yet to be established.
"We are investigating the matter to know more. Unfortunately, it happened," he said.
Residents said the two had domestic differences and had been separated for some time.
The incident comes amid claims of increased incidents of murder in the country. There are claims most of the victims are female.
Police have since established a squad to address the incidents.
Up to 30 incidents of murder of women have been recorded in the past two months alone prompting an uproar in general.
Police say some of the incidents are under probe while others are in court.