Detectives in Kikuyu have arrested a 34-year-old man in connection with the murder of a University of Nairobi student whose decomposed body was discovered in a forest days after she went missing.
In a statement on Tuesday, October 28, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed that the suspect, Nicholas Mutua Mutia, is being held in connection with the death of Jane Atila Quedeya, a student at the University of Nairobi’s Kikuyu Campus.
"Detectives in Kikuyu are holding Nicholas Mutua Mutia, 34, following the gruesome murder of Jane Atila Quedeya, a University of Nairobi, Kikuyu Campus student.
"The decomposed body of Atila, whose missing report was registered at Kikuyu Police Station on October 13, was found dumped in a thicket at Kefri Muguga Forest on October 17, 2025," the statement read.
The DCI revealed that the suspect was the victim’s estranged boyfriend and was with her shortly before she went missing.
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"Preliminary investigations point that moments before her disappearance, Atila was in company of her estranged boyfriend Mutua," the statement added.
After days of tracing, detectives managed to arrest the suspect and present him before a court as investigations continue.
"The suspect was arrested and arraigned before Kikuyu law courts on October 25, 2025 where 21-days custodial orders were granted. Investigations continues with the miscellaneous application matter set for mention on November, 13," the statement concluded.
This comes weeks after police in Kikuyu arrested a University of Nairobi student accused of fatally stabbing his roommate following a dispute over toilet use and cleaning.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, September 2, a police officer confirmed that the victim, who has been identified as Brian Wambui, succumbed to stab injuries sustained during the altercation.
"We received a report from one of the security officers at the University of Nairobi, Kikuyu Campus, regarding an incident in which one student had stabbed another.
"The injured student was rushed to PCA Kikuyu Hospital, where we later learned that they had passed away. We suspect that the death was caused by the stab injury," Omondi Ogola, a police officer attached to the DCI, said.
Witnesses said the disagreement started over the routine use and cleaning of the hostel toilet, escalating into a violent confrontation.
Wambui’s body was transferred to the PCEA Thogoto Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
Meanwhile, the suspect, Justus Otieno, was taken to Kikuyu Police Station ahead of his arraignment in court.
"I am here to confirm that we have taken up the matter. The police, the DCI, and members of the community worked together on the investigation. We were able to apprehend the suspect, and the suspected murder weapon has been secured," Ogola added.
