Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have confirmed the arrest of a 34-year-old man linked to the gruesome murder of Jane Atila, a University of Nairobi student.
In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, detectives revealed that the 20-year-old went missing a fortnight ago and reports of her missing were registered at the Kikuyu Police Station on October 13 this year.
After about a week of investigations, the deceased's decomposed body was found dumped in a thicket at Kefri Muguga Forest in Kiambu County.
DCI officers noted that forensic fingerprint identification analysis conducted in liaison with the National Registration Bureau positively identified the body as one belonging to Atila.
Following the identification, detectives immediately launched a manhunt for the suspected killer, and after about a week, the DCI officers managed to arrest the 34-year-old suspect.
"Preliminary investigations point that moments before her disappearance, Atila was in the company of her estranged boyfriend Mutua," the detectives explained.
The suspect has since been arraigned before the Kikuyu Law Courts, during which the judge gave a 21-day custodial order to pave the way for further investigations.
"Investigations continue with the miscellaneous application matter set for mention on November 13," the DCI officers noted even as they called on members of the public with information regarding the matter to report.
Nonetheless, according to a police report, the 20-year-old victim was last seen on October 3 before her mysterious disappearance after leaving her campus residence to visit her boyfriend.
Her phone was switched off moments later, with the deceased family revealing that they received calls from a suspicious individual who demanded ransom.
Meanwhile, Jane's death has sparked concerns among members of the public, with some questioning the safety of learners, particularly those in tertiary institutions.
Just a month ago, a University of Nairobi student was arrested for reportedly stabbing his roommate to death, following an argument about a hostel washroom.
The incident ensued over an argument about who should clean the shared washroom, and after a brief wrangle, the suspect fatally stabbed his roommate.
According to a police report, the victim, a third-year student, was found with fatal stab wounds. Detectives revealed that attempts to rush the victim to the PCA Kikuyu Hospital proved futile as he succumbed upon arrival at the hospital.
