Editor's Review
Detectives have arrested two additional suspects in connection with the murder of 65-year-old Evelyne Mukiri Mbaabu, who was killed inside her home in Meru County on August 7.
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested two additional suspects in connection with the murder of 65-year-old Evelyne Mukiri Mbaabu, who was killed inside her home in Kithoka Village, Meru County, on August 7.
In a statement on Friday, October 30, the DCI announced the latest arrests, saying the two suspects were believed to have planned the murder before engaging another individual to carry it out.
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"Detectives in Meru have arrested two additional suspects believed to have masterminded the murder of 65-year-old Evelyne Mukiri Mbaabu, who was killed inside her home in Kithoka Village, Meru County, on August 7, 2026," the statement read.
The two suspects were identified as Godwin Kimathi, the deceased's brother, and Beth Muthomi, who is a sister to the first suspect, Solomon Kathurima Kairemia, and a sister-in-law to the deceased.
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According to investigators, the suspects allegedly conspired to eliminate Mbaabu over a longstanding land dispute before hiring Kairemia to execute the murder.
"The latest arrests follow investigations that established that the suspects conspired to eliminate the deceased over a longstanding land dispute before hiring the first suspect, Solomon Kathurima Kairemia, to execute the murder," the statement added.
Detectives further established that the newly arrested suspects maintained communication both before and after the killing, raising suspicions of prior planning and coordination.
"Investigators have further established that the suspects maintained contact both before and after the murder, pointing to prior planning and coordination in the commission of the crime," the statement further read.
Following their arrest, Kimathi and Muthomi were presented before a court, where orders were issued for them to be detained pending mental assessment before taking their pleas.
The DCI said investigations into the murder remained ongoing, with detectives pursuing additional leads to establish the full circumstances surrounding the killing and identify everyone involved.
"The DCI extends its condolences to the family, friends and relatives of the late Evelyne Mukiri Mbaabu. Investigations remain ongoing as detectives pursue additional leads to establish the full circumstances surrounding the murder and ensure that all those involved are brought to justice," the statement concluded.
In September, detectives in Meru County arrested the prime suspect in connection with Mbaabu's murder.
In a statement, the 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.
"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.
