DCI Reveal Intrigues As It Releases Image Of Rita Waeni's Killer

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Wednesday, April 24 announced that its homicide detectives are at the advanced stages of investigation of the brutal murder of 20-year-old Rita Waeni in January 2024 by the yet-to-be-arrested cold-blooded killer(s).

Before her tragic death, Waeni, a third-year student at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) was staying with her aunt at Syokimau in Nairobi, the home she left at 3 pm on January 13, 2024, never to return alive.

DCI revealed in a statement that elaborate forensic analyses have so far been done by the investigating team, capturing the deceased's last moments and linking probable suspects to her murder.

Further, detailed statements by persons of interest have been recorded and more data sourced from digital platforms to ensure that all leads to Waeni's killer(s) are utilized.

DCI revealed that the prime suspect was last seen with Waeni walking towards the murder scene at TRM Drive in Roysambu, releasing the suspect's photo and pleading with Kenyans who can identify him to come forward.

"Unfortunately, the prime suspect in the murder, a man only captured by CCTV cameras walking Rita to her scene of death remains in the holes, and the DCI Homicide team is sparing no resource in his pursuit.

"In its endeavour to expedite the delivery of justice to the young soul and provide closure to the family, the Homicide Directorate calls upon anyone who can identify the man whose images (though blurry) appear on this post, to come forward and share information that may assist in his arrest," DCI stated in part.

DCI added that although his identity remains unknown, it has been established that he first initiated communication with the late Waeni on October 2, 2023, through an Instagram account in the name of Carlton Maina (pseudo), a name that was later changed several times and finally pulled down immediately after the heinous murder.

The suspect is believed to have visited several hotels in Nairobi West in October 2023 and the Green House Airbnb located in Roysambu along TRM Drive on Nov 7 and Nov 11, 2023.

"He is also believed to have a criminal mind evidenced by his way of evading CCTV cameras. He is fluent in Swahili and English and has knowledge of Nairobi and its environs," added the DCI.

Kenyans with any information on the suspect's identity or whereabouts were called upon to share with the DCI anonymously through its toll-free hotline 0800 722 203, or report to any police station or police officer.

Related to the case, two suspects had earlier been arraigned at the Makadara Law Courts on January 22 and released days later.

The Nigerian suspects were traced by the DCI’s Criminal Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) detectives to an apartment in Ndenderu in Kiambu County where they were picked up, a few metres from where Waeni's head was found dumped.

According to Constable Benjamin Wangila of Kasarani DCI offices in an affidavit, the suspects were living not very far from the area where Waeni’s head was recovered.

Two Nigerian suspects arraigned at the Makadara Law Courts on January 22, 2024. /KINYAN BOY.X