An 87-year-old woman has reportedly died of hunger in Witeithei area of Juja sub-county.
Confirming the incidence, area chief Peter Thuranira said the deceased had been living alone in a deserted homestead.
The octogenarian’s grown up children are said to be out in the urban centers or in marriages away from home.
The chief regretted that the villagers never dared visit nor care for the deceased following rumours that she was a witch. This left her vulnerable to the pangs of hunger and could have starved for days before her death.
"We are not entirely shocked because she led a lonely life and at her age she could not really go out in search of food,” he asserted.
The administrator further added that the deceased had a long standing problem with her health. She had problems with her joints and had developed weakness in the limbs.
“She used to limp hence could not walk for long distances. I urge the villagers to be on the lookout and take care of one another to avoid such recurrences in future," Kamau urged.
The body was taken to Thika Level Five mortuary awaiting postmortem arrival of the family members.