Suspect arrested over murder of 65-year-old woman in Meru

A 65-year-old woman, Evelyne Mukiri Mbaabu, was murdered in Kithoka, Imenti East Sub-county, Meru County. She was attacked by a man while preparing dinner with her 13-year-old grandson at her home on August 7, 2026. The attacker entered through the compound, asked for water, and afterwards, Mbaabu's grandson heard her scream for help.

He found her lying in a pool of blood. The assailant then assaulted the boy and fled the scene. Mbaabu was rushed to Grace Park Hospital, but she was pronounced dead upon arrival. Following a forensic investigation by the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Solomon Kathurima Kairemia was arrested on September 21, 2026. Kairemia had been hiding in nearby thickets, spending nights away from his home.

During the arrest, the DCI recovered a blood-stained panga, which is believed to be the murder weapon. An identification parade confirmed Kairemia as the alleged attacker, and he was subsequently presented before the Meru Law Courts. The DCI expressed condolences to Mbaabu's family and pledged to continue their investigation to establish the motive and circumstances surrounding the murder.