A Makadara court has allowed detectives to hold a taxi driver for 10 days while they investigate the murder of Rachael Muthoni Wandeto, who died after suffering horrific burn injuries in a shocking attack in Mwiki, Kasarani.
Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) presented the suspect, Josiah Njeru Njiru, before the court, stating that they are treating him as a primary suspect in the killing.
According to an affidavit filed by Chief Inspector Raphael Wanjohi of the Homicide Investigations Bureau, an attacker allegedly lured Wandeto from her residence on the night of May 15, 2026, at around 9:00 pm. Once outside, she was attacked and doused with a flammable liquid, sustaining the catastrophic burns that ultimately proved fatal.
Detectives told the court that the victim sustained extensive burns and rushed her to Kenyatta National Hospital for treatment. She later succumbed to her injuries on May 18 while admitted in critical condition.
Investigators noted that preliminary findings place the suspect at the center of the timeline, as he was the last person to communicate with the deceased and had allegedly shared his location near her home on the night of the attack, despite not living in the area.
The court heard that detectives still need to complete several critical tasks, including retrieving and analyzing local CCTV footage, recording additional witness statements, running forensic tests on exhibits seized from the suspect, and conducting an identification parade. Police also told the judge that they intend to harvest DNA samples for comparison and subject the suspect to a mandatory mental assessment.
The DCI further argued that the case has sparked massive public outrage, warning that the suspect’s safety could be compromised if he is released. Investigators also flagged him as a high flight risk who might disappear to evade justice.
The court granted the application, ordering authorities to hold Njiru at the Kilimani Police Station until the 10-day investigative window closes.
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