Nairobi gospel artist Rachel Wandeto, who was fighting for her life at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) after a brutal attack in Kasarani, has succumbed to her injuries. Officials confirmed that the singer passed away on Monday morning, May 18, 2026.
Wandeto had been admitted to the intensive care unit with critical burns covering nearly 70 percent of her body after a group of men allegedly doused her in petrol and set her ablaze in the Mwiki area. Despite emergency medical efforts, including an urgent appeal for blood donations, she was unable to survive the severity of her wounds.
The news of her tragic demise was confirmed by her industry colleague, popular gospel artist Karangu Muraya.
“A great soul has rested… May your soul rest in peace, Rachel Wandeto,” Muraya shared in a poignant social media tribute.
A Chilling Bedside Account
Before her passing, a video of Wandeto speaking from her hospital bed went viral on social media, providing a chilling account of the moments leading up to the assault. Visibly in immense pain, she described how her attackers confronted her while she was running errands, accusing her of hoarding government money and political benefits.
“I was from my place taking luggage to another woman. I met a group of men who had been following me. They were telling me that I have decided to be eating the government’s money alone,” Wandeto recounted.
According to the late singer, the men deliberately herded her toward a secluded spot before launching the brutal attack.
“They encircled me and asked me to keep walking. At the end of the road, they dragged me, poured petrol on me, and lit it. Then they ran away,” she said.
From Viral Loyalty to Violent Backlash
Wandeto had drawn widespread public attention earlier this year after she tattooed President William Ruto’s face on her chest, along with the word “Tutam” and his name on various parts of her body in bold public displays of political loyalty. Family members allege that this notoriety made her a target.
The incident reportedly occurred just days after Wandeto publicly expressed unwavering support for President Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid.
According to relatives, the attackers falsely believed she had been receiving massive financial favors from the president in exchange for her vocal support, demanding a share of the supposed benefits. When Wandeto told them she had nothing to give, they turned on her, pouring petrol on her body and setting her on fire before fleeing the scene.
Government Condemnation and Investigations
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen visited Wandeto at KNH on Sunday, just a day before her demise. Murkomen strongly condemned the attack, warning against the dangerous precedent of political intolerance.
“If it is true, as there have been speculations around the possibility of a political motive by basically attacking her for her political beliefs, this is really very dangerous for our country,” Murkomen stated.
The Interior CS issued strict directives to the police to fast-track investigations and bring the perpetrators to book.
The National Police Service had previously confirmed that a specialized team from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has taken over the case. Police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga described the attack as one of three serious incidents reported across Nairobi within a 24-hour window, stating that preliminary findings strongly point toward a political motive.
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