Friends of Kenyan woman who killed compatriot in Saudi Arabia speak up

A Kenyan woman has been arrested in Saudi Arabia for allegedly murdering a fellow citizen. The woman, who has been identified as Mercy Tomno alias Saumu, is said to have attacked the victim, Maureen, on a main road in Riyadh.

The attack was captured on video, which shows Saumu repeatedly slamming Maureen’s head on the tarmac before kicking and stepping on her face. The attack goes on until motorists stop at the scene and move towards where the commotion is taking place before the assailant walks away.

Police in Saudi Arabia revealed that the victim died while receiving treatment at a local hospital. According to Saudi Arabian law, murder attracts the death penalty and already those are the charges the suspect is facing.

Saumu’s friends and former schoolmates have described her as an outgoing woman who also has a love for the bottle. Saumu, who grew up in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, has also been described as very friendly.

“Saumu is very outgoing and she knows how to make friends. When we heard that she had been involved in a fight, I was shocked,” said a friend who grew up with her.

Saumu studied at a secondary school in Nangili, Kakamega County before she joined Rift Valley Technical Training Institute (RVIST). Thereafter she secured a job locally before she flew out of the country to seek greener pastures.

She went to Saudi Arabia where she was working as a house girl until she fled from her boss and decided to live with fellow Kenyans who had also fled from their employers.

“She fled from her boss and she is among Kenyans who usually rent houses in Riyadh. Here, we call it Kukemboi,” Ms Ann Njeri, a friend to Saumu, told Nairobi News.

The motive for the attack is still unclear, but police are investigating. Saumu is currently in police custody and is awaiting trial.

This is a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends. We hope that justice will be served in this case.