The family of Rita Waeni, the lady murdered inside an Airbnb, in Roysambu has revealed fresh details surrounding the death of its daughter.
As per the family’s spokesperson, Rita left her aunt’s home in Syokimau to meet a friend on the fateful day.
In a statement, the family said that the killer had demanded some Ksh500,000 as ransom prior to the news about her death.
The unknown perpetrators, as explained, had been in touch with Waeni’s family and demanded the money with an ultimatum of 24 hours on the day she was killed as a condition for her release.
However, they did not get an opportunity to consider the payment option in return of their daughter’s safety as the perpetrators failed to share crucial details.
“We believe she was lured by her killer, who also tried to extort money from her family, even after killing her,” the family said in a statement.
Subsequently, Waeni’s family reported the case to the police to set off investigations into her whereabouts.
Culprits make another ransom demand
Amid the ongoing investigations, two more demands for a ransom came in with the family noting that Waeni was already dead at the time.
Rita Waeni was a third-year student at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
By the time of her death, Rita was set to proceed to her final year of study in the institution.
The family has since requested members of the public to accord family members privacy as they continue to mourn their daughter.
As per the statement, Waeni’s death has left them in a devastated condition with parents and siblings struggling to come into terms with the manner in which she was killed.
“During this period of grief, we kindly request privacy as we mourn the loss of Waeni. We hope that, in time, the truth will prevail, and those responsible will be held accountable for this senseless act.”
Also Read: Airbnb Issues Statement on Recent Murders in Kenyan Rooms
In the statement, Dr Lillian Mutea who identified herself as the spokesperson thanked the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for the support accorded to the family so far.
In addition, she expressed her faith that investigations would eventually unravel the truth behind the mysterious circumstances that took the life of their loved one.
DCI intensifies investigations in Roysambu murder
Meanwhile, detectives from the DCI have been investigating various aspects in the case with focus being on a man spotted in CCCTV footage while collecting keys from a shop close to the room where Rita Waeni was found dead.
Also Read: Questions Raised as DCI Arrests Foreigner in Roysambu Airbnb Murder
On Tuesday, January 16, detectives arrested a man at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on suspicion that he was trying to flee Kenya.
The man was taken in custody for interrogation at Kasarani Police Station where two other suspects had been held for interrogations.
Besides, the detectives were analyzing various aspects including fingerprints and other clues crucial to unraveling more details.