Editor's Review
Detectives in Meru County have arrested a prime suspect in connection with the murder of 65-year-old Evelyne Mukiri Mbaabu, who was fatally attacked at her home in Kithoka, Imenti East.
Detectives in Meru County have arrested a prime suspect in connection with the murder of 65-year-old Evelyne Mukiri Mbaabu, who was fatally attacked at her home in Kithoka, Imenti East, on August 7, 2026.
In a statement on Monday, September 28, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the elderly woman was preparing supper with her 13-year-old grandson when an unknown man entered the compound and proceeded to the kitchen, where he asked for drinking water.
Moments later, the boy heard his grandmother scream for help. He rushed to the kitchen, only to find her lying in a pool of blood. The assailant then turned on the boy, striking him on the hand with a panga before fleeing.
The victim was rushed to Grace Park Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
The DCI said detectives launched forensic and intelligence-led investigations to establish the identity and whereabouts of the attacker.
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"Following weeks of forensic analysis and intelligence-led investigations by detectives from the CCIO’s Office and DCI Imenti North, the prime suspect, Solomon Kathurima Kairemia, was traced and arrested on September 21, 2026," the statement read.
The DCI said detectives eventually tracked down Kairemia after he changed his routine and sought to evade detection by hiding close to his home.
"By the time detectives caught up with him, Kairemia had abandoned his house and resorted to spending nights hiding in nearby thickets, just a few metres from his residence," the statement added.
During the arrest, detectives recovered a blood-stained panga believed to have been used in the fatal attack. The weapon was secured as an exhibit for further forensic examination.
The suspect was subsequently subjected to a police identification parade as investigators sought to establish whether he was the person behind the attack.
"A police identification parade was subsequently conducted, during which Kairemia was positively identified as the man behind the fatal attack," the statement further read.
Following the identification parade, Kairemia was taken before the Meru Law Courts as detectives continued with investigations into the circumstances surrounding Mbaabu’s death.
"The suspect was presented before the Meru Law Courts, where investigators obtained a 14-day custodial order to allow them to complete the ongoing investigations," the statement noted.
The DCI said investigators would continue pursuing leads as they seek to establish the motive and circumstances surrounding the killing and determine whether other individuals were involved.
"The DCI extends its condolences to the family, friends and relatives of Evelyne Mukiri Mbaabu and remains committed to pursuing every available lead to establish the motive and circumstances surrounding her murder, and ensure that all those found culpable are brought to justice," the statement concluded.
Elsewhere, four suspects were arraigned in connection with the murder of advocate Mathew Kyalo Mbobu, with the court ordering that they be held for 15 days as investigations into the killing continue.
On Friday, September 25, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) arraigned Julius Cheruiyot and Kennedy Kipkemei, both police officers, alongside Nicholas Naula Lemiso and Noah Kipkurui Langat.
The prosecution told the court that the four suspects are believed to have been involved in the shooting of Mbobu while he was driving his Toyota Land Cruiser.
The court subsequently issued an order allowing investigators additional time to complete their investigations.
"The court ordered that they be detained at Gigiri, Parklands, Kibra and Muthangari police stations for 15 days to allow investigations to be completed," the statement read.
Preliminary investigations have linked Cheruiyot, who was serving at Pangani Police Station, to a Ceska pistol that was allegedly used in the shooting. The firearm had reportedly been issued to him.
A ballistic examination reportedly connected the firearm to cartridge cases and a bullet recovered from the scene of the shooting.
The prosecution also presented findings from the post-mortem examination conducted on Mbobu, detailing the injuries that led to his death.
"An autopsy conducted on 12th September 2025 by Chief Government Pathologist Dr Johansen Odour found that the deceased died from multiple bullet injuries. Eight bullet wounds were documented on the upper body and neck," the statement added.
The case will be mentioned on October 9, 2026, when the court is expected to receive an update on the progress of investigations.
