Makadara Law Court released the two Nigerian nationals who had been held in custody in the murder of JKUAT student Rita Waeni.
During the court proceedings, the prosecution informed the court that investigations into the murder were still ongoing.
Despite this, the magistrate decided to release the two Nigerian suspects from police custody, albeit with a condition. The court ruled that the suspects must appear before the detectives investigating the case once a week.
The suspects were arrested on January 21, 2024, at an apartment in Ndenderu, situated just a short distance from where Waeni’s head was discovered dumped.
During the arrest, detectives recovered various items, including a hatchet, a butcher’s knife, three laptops, six mobile phones, a Kenyan national identity card, and ten sim cards, among other items. It was suspected that the hatchet might have been the weapon used in the crime.
Magistrate Mwangi had initially deemed the suspects to be at a flight risk and ordered their detention to allow for the completion of investigations.
Waeni’s murder garnered widespread attention due to the alarming rise in cases of femicide in the country.
The family of the deceased disclosed that the suspects had demanded a ransom of Ksh. 500,000 for the release of their daughter. Upon failing to meet this demand, their daughter was tragically killed and her body dismembered.
Waeni was laid to rest on February 5, 2024, in a private burial at Mukimwani Village in Makueni. During the burial, her family called for justice to be served.
“We appreciate the support and prayers from everyone, and we extend our gratitude to those offering their condolences,” remarked Dr. Lillian Mutea, Waeni’s aunt and family spokesperson.
