Police in Machakos have apprehended the person of interest in the brutal killing of 21-year-old university student Virginia Wayua Nzioki, whose body was found last week in Kariobangi, Machakos County.
The man, identified as William Kaia, was arrested on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, while hiding in Mombasa following a manhunt that began shortly after the incident.
According to police reports, Kaia stabbed Wayua multiple times, killing her on the night of October 9, 2025.
According to the deceased’s mother, Josephine Ndunda, after committing the heinous act, Kaia called her to the family to say that he had killed their daughter, a call that left the family in shock and disbelief.
Speaking on Wednesday, 29, 2025, Ndunda recounted the heartbreaking series of events and her frustration with the slow police response before the murder occurred.
“Hata kama ni kitu alikuwa nayo yake angeniambia ningemlipa kuliko kumuua,” Ndunda said tearfully.
“Sioni kitu anaeza nipea au watu wao iniridhishe huyo mtoto wangu. Juu ni mtu tumemlipia, amepangiwa kuenda shule, kujoin university by January, na sasa hiyo yote imekatika.”
Elsewhere, a grade 9 girl was brutally murdered on her way to school in Transmara South, Narok County.
According to Ndunda, her daughter had previously reported threats from the suspect, but no immediate action was taken.
“Kutoka hapo suspect akaanza kunipigia simu hiyo usiku akiniambia ni yeye alimua na alikuwa bwana yake. Msichana wangu hakuwa na bwana. Mimi kijana simjui hata venye alikuwa ananitumia message ndio aliniambia jina yake. Sijawahi mjua wala kumwona,” she added.
She further blamed authorities for inaction despite earlier reports filed with the police.
“Polisi Machakos DCI wangekuwa wakunisaidia, wangemsaidia. Ile wakati aliripoti , aliripoti tarehe tano, wangechukua hatua, wangechukua huyo msichana na wamshike huyo kijana kupitia huyo msichana. Walimwua tarehe tisa, si unaona hapo kulikuwa na nafasi ya kumshika,” she lamented.
The suspect is currently being held at the Machakos Police Station and is expected to be arraigned in court on Thursday, October 30, 2025, to face murder charges.
