Lucy Wamaitha
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Kenyan authorities are investigating the murder of Lucy Wamaitha, a 32-year-old NGO worker whose dismembered remains were discovered in the River Sagana in Kirinyaga County.
DNA testing has confirmed that the remains, found on January 22, belong to Wamaitha who had been missing since January 16. A suspect is in custody and is scheduled to be arraigned in Thika court on Monday, March 24, on murder charges. Wamaitha was last seen alive on January 16 in Embu town while on a work assignment in Meru County with her supervisor and a colleague. She had lunch with a man, after which her phone was switched off.
Her remains were discovered days later, stuffed in a bag submerged in the river. The body was partially burned and missing its head. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) homicide unit is leading the investigation. Authorities are working to determine if the suspect acted alone and to locate the missing body parts. Thika police boss Lawrence Muchangi expresses hope that the ongoing interrogation will yield critical information.
“We do not know if he acted alone and that is what we are working on to establish. We also want to recover other missing body parts,” he said.
Wamaitha's death has sent shockwaves through the community, raising concerns about the safety of individuals, particularly women. In other news, detectives in Nairobi are investigating the murder of 29-year-old Naomi Wangare Mwangi whose body was discovered outside a residential compound in the Embakasi area on the night of February 18, 2025. An autopsy has revealed that Naomi died from strangulation and had been sexually assaulted.
According to police reports, witnesses observed unidentified assailants forcing Naomi to the ground and strangling her. The attack occurred while Naomi was reportedly screaming for help. Neighbours who responded to the scene found her body partially undressed; the attackers had fled.
Authorities have arrested a woman suspected of luring Naomi to the location where she was attacked. Police are currently searching for two male suspects believed to be directly involved in the murder. The motive for the crime remains undetermined.
Naomi's relatives report that she received a phone call on the day of her death and left her residence, leaving behind her 9-year-old daughter. Her husband was informed of the tragic news upon returning home from work.
Nairobi Police Commander George Sedah confirms that the investigation is ongoing and that the manhunt for the suspects continues. In unrelated incidents, police in Masinga, Machakos County, are investigating the death of 67-year-old Alphonse Mutua, whose body was found in a roadside trench on March 19. The cause of death is yet to be determined.