Two Missing Nakuru Residents Found Dead in Nairobi Mortuary

The bodies of James Karanja, 32, and Naomi Wangari, 30, who went missing on 23 August in Mlolongo, Machakos County, were identified at the Nairobi Funeral Home on 5 September.

Karanja’s mother, Margaret Nyutu, said she last spoke to her son on 22 August. When he stopped responding to calls and failed to return home or report to work, the family raised concern. A search began across local hospitals and mortuaries, led by relatives and colleagues.

Wangari’s brother located her body first. Karanja’s father later confirmed the second body as his son’s, bringing an end to nearly two weeks of uncertainty. Both families had hoped the two would be found alive.

Police have since informed the families that the pair died in a motorbike accident. However, specific details about the incident remain unclear. The two were buried separately on Friday, with both families confirming that Karanja and Wangari were in a relationship at the time of their deaths, despite Karanja being married.

Karanja, the second of six siblings, had trained as a hairdresser before moving into small-scale business and later securing a job at a quarry in Machakos as a machine operator. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Wangui, and their two children. 

“He has left me with young children. I am still in shock,” Wangui said.

Wangari had worked in the hospitality sector for two years. According to her father, Elisha Mburu, she regularly sent money home and had recently picked up her children for the August holiday. “She was so happy when she landed the hotel job because it paid better,” he said.

The deaths have placed a heavy emotional toll on the families, who say they were left without clear information during the search.