Kasarani, Roysambu: 5 Cases Turning Nairobi Estates Into Death Capital

Roysambu and Kasarani estates in Nairobi are two residences among the most preferred by Kenyans due to the convenience of shopping facilities such as Thika Road Mall (TRM) and Garden City Mall, as well as affordable housing.

However, the two estates have recently dominated national headlines for the wrong reasons owing to the number of Kenyans plummeting to their deaths from buildings, with the number so far rising to four, most of them in their youth, and only one occurring internally.

Other than being met with concerns by the residents, the Kasarani Police Station was put on the spot over the handling of some of the mysterious deaths, with their findings of suicide being ruled out by family members and friends of the deceased as well as investigative agencies.

Viral Tea takes a look at Kenyans who have died in the two areas:

The late popular artist Joseph Kubende. /STANDARD DIGITAL

Joseph Kubende

The popular Bungoma artist died on Thursday, March 23 after falling from a building in Roysambu Constituency, the latest in a series of alarming deaths in the residential areas.

According to reports, the artist fell under mysterious circumstances from the fourth floor and was found helpless on the ground by area residents, with efforts to rush him to the hospital by well-wishers and friends proved futile. He succumbed to the injuries while at the hospital in Pangani.

Kubende had just celebrated his birthday four days earlier on March 19 writing, "Happy birthday to me, and may my guardian saint, Joseph the worker, protect me and guide me through this turbulent of life."

The poet was known for his role in mobilising the political scene and was also a poet, singer, motivational speaker, and writer. Among those who mourned his demise included Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale and Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa.

Elizabeth Wanjiru Githinji

So far the only case that has not seen a victim fall to his death involved a Nakuru-based pastor who travelled to Kasarani, Nairobi on Saturday, March 18, to iron out some differences with a local gospel artiste, Mirugi Dishon [real name Paul Mathenge Wanderi], only to be found dead hours later at his house.

According to a police report filed under OB Number 28-18/03/2023 at Kiamumbi Police Station in Kiambu County, Mirugi had claimed that Githinji visited him at his house in the Maziwa area. 

She brought him a new suit and other gift items, but she reportedly found the house untidy and offered to do some clean-ups.

“He [Mirugi] reported that he left his ex-girlfriend in his house and left for Thika Road and later tried reaching her through the phone but she was not responding. He rushed back to the house in Maziwa sub-location and found her hanging from [a bed sheet tied to] the frame of his wardrobe," read the report in part.

Mirugi, who also plies his trade as an entrepreneur in the real estate sector, was said to have placed Elizabeth's body in his car- a Toyota Mark X- and driven to Jacaranda Maternity Hospital but they declined to take the body. He then went to Kahawa West and Kasarani Police Stations before finally taking the body to Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary. 

He had reportedly been dating Elizabeth, 38, since August last year, with the theory of her alleged suicide dismissed outright.

Brenda Kawira

The 29-year-old woman jumped to her death from the fourth floor of her apartment in Kasarani following an argument with her boyfriend, identified by several reports so far as 30-year-old John Marvin Kiretai, alias DJ Dela.

Kawira, a medical biochemist, was excited about her upcoming departure to Australia for her Master’s program in June 2023. Born on Jan 3, 1994, in a family of a Catholic priest, Peter Gitonga and Mama Catherine Gakii, Kawira had three brothers and two sisters.