The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is pleading for information from members of the public to help arrest the main suspect in the murder of third-year student at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Rita Waeni.
In a statement, DCI indicated that the main suspect was captured on CCTV walking Rita to the crime scene. However, efforts to apprehend him have remained futile.
The sleuths asked that Kenyans who can identify the man share the information to help arrest him and bring justice to Rita’s family.
“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 endeavor 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,” the statement read in part.
Also Read: Why Two Nigerians Linked to Rita Waeni Murder Were Freed
DCI Reveal Details of Rita Waeni’s Murder So Far
At the same time, the directorate explained that Rita Waeni was staying with her aunt in Syokimau area in Nairobi when she left home at 3pm on January 13, 2024. She never came back home alive.
Additionally, DCI stated that it obtained information for its investigation from statements by persons of interest and data sourced from digital platforms.
“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 Rita’s killer(s) are utilized,” DCI added.
Further, DCI revealed that the unidentified man first made contact with Rita on October 2, 2023, through Instagram. His username on the platform according to the directorate was Carlton Maina, which was later changed multiple times.
The suspect also 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 was able to evade CCTV cameras and is reported to have vast knowledge of Nairobi and its environs. Later, after the murder, the man pulled down the Instagram account.
“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 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,” explained DCI.
Also Read: Rita Waeni’s Close Friends Give Account of Her Personal Life
The Murder of Rita Waeni
The lifeless body of the 20-year-old was discovered in Kasarani area Nairobi, at an Airbnb. Her family revealed on January 17, that the killer demanded a Ksh500,000 ransom, giving them an ultimatum of 24 hours on the day she was killed as a condition for her release.
“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.
Government Pathologist Dr. Johansen Oduor later revealed that the murderer dismembered Rita’s body parts adding that the head was missing.
Also, he noted that Waeni’s bones may have been sowed off using an axe sow.
“She looked like she was someone who had lost some significant amount of blood, but this could have been after death. The other thing we also noticed is that the person who did this also tried to clip off the fingernails for reasons I may not be able to know.
“When we see fingernails clipped away, we see that the person was trying to hide evidence so that we are unable to get his DNA from this victim,” he stated.
On February 15, two Nigerians who had been in police custody in connection to the murder were freed.
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