Detectives investigating the murder of a 65-year-old woman in Meru County have arrested two additional suspects, bringing to three the number of people apprehended in connection with the killing, which investigators believe was orchestrated over a longstanding land dispute.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) identified the latest suspects as Godwin Kimathi, a brother to the deceased, Evelyne Mukiri Mbaabu, and Beth Muthomi, who is the sister of the first suspect, Solomon Kathurima Kairemia, and sister-in-law to the deceased.
The two are accused of conspiring to eliminate Mbaabu before allegedly recruiting Kairemia to carry out the murder at her home in Kithoka Village, Imenti East Sub-county, on August 7, 2026.
According to investigators, preliminary findings indicate that the suspects maintained communication both before and after the killing, pointing to alleged prior planning and coordination.
The latest arrests follow the apprehension of Kairemia on September 21, 2026, after weeks of investigations involving forensic analysis and intelligence gathering by detectives from the County Criminal Investigations Officer's office and DCI Imenti North.
At the time of his arrest, detectives said Kairemia had abandoned his house and resorted to spending nights hiding in nearby thickets, just a few metres from his residence.
Police also recovered a blood-stained panga believed to have been used in the attack. The weapon was secured as an exhibit for forensic examination, while a subsequent identification parade reportedly saw Kairemia positively identified as the assailant.
Mbaabu was attacked at approximately 7.20pm while preparing supper with her 13-year-old grandson. Investigators said an unidentified man entered the compound and proceeded to the kitchen, where he reportedly asked for drinking water.
Moments later, the boy heard his grandmother screaming for help. When he rushed to the kitchen, he found her lying in a pool of blood. The attacker then turned on him, striking him on the hand with a panga before escaping.
The elderly woman was rushed to Grace Park Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. Her grandson sustained injuries during the attack.
The two newly arrested suspects have since been arraigned in court, where orders were issued for them to be detained pending mental assessment. They are expected to take plea on November 4, 2026.
The DCI says investigations remain ongoing as detectives pursue additional leads to establish the full circumstances surrounding the murder and identify anyone else who may have been involved.
The case has drawn attention to the devastating consequences of prolonged family land disputes, particularly where disagreements escalate into violence. However, the allegations against the three suspects remain subject to determination by the courts.
