Police have requested the public to assist in identifying a man linked to the murder of Rita Waeni, a University student found dead inside a short-period rental house in Roysambu, a Nairobi suburb.
Waeni was found dead in January 2024 in circumstances that shocked the nation.
Her body was cut to pieces with her head missing. She has reportedly boarded the house which had been leased by a man who remains at large.
Waeni was a third-year student at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
She met her death while staying with her aunt in Syokimau in Machakos, some 50km away from the place where her murder reportedly happened.
“Forensic analyses have so far been done by the investigating team, capturing the deceased’s last moments and linking probable suspects to her murder. Further, detailed statements by persons of interest have been recorded and more data sourced from digital platforms to ensure that all leads to Rita’s killer(s) are utilized,” a statement by the authorities read in part.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) says the suspect was captured by CCTV cameras walking with the deceased lady. They are believed to have been headed to the scene of crime at the time.
According to authorities, the homicide wing of the DCI will “spare no resource in his pursuit.”
“In its endeavour to expedite the delivery of justice to the young soul and provide closure to the family, the Homicide Directorate calls upon anyone who can identify the man whose images (though blurry) appear on this post, to come forward and share information that may assist in his arrest,” the statement further read.
Nairobi News understands Waeni and her killer, whose identity remains a mystery, kicked off communication on October 2, 2023.
The duo was communicating on Instagram, a social media platform, but the man was using a pseudo name Carlton Maina.
The DCI said the name changed several times before the account was pulled down by the suspect immediately after he ended the life of the lady.
“The suspect is believed to have visited several hotels in Nairobi West in October 2023 and the Green House Airbnb located in Roysambu along TRM Drive on Nov 7 and Nov 11, 2023,” the statement read.
Police believe the suspect has a criminal mind as is evidenced by the ways he was using to evade justice.
They say that he is fluent in Swahili and English and also has knowledge of Nairobi and its environs.
