Investigations into the murder of Rita Waeni, a 20-year-old Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) student took a new twist following the arraignment of four Kenyan suspects at the Madaraka Law Courts.
Notably, the whereabouts of the alleged Nigerian national reported to have been arrested at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) remains unknown.
Among those arraigned on Wednesday, January 17, were a male JKUAT student and two male neighbours who spent the night at the Roysambu apartments.
The fourth suspect was the owner of the house Waeni slept in. Police stated that the house was a short-stay accommodation housed within the apartment.
According to the police, one of the male suspects slept near the house where Waeni was murdered and was found with blood-like stains under his nails.
Police asked the court to have the suspect held for more days to establish the origin of the blood substance. It is still unclear whether the suspect came into contact with the slain student or the exhibits before they were collected by the police.
Further, it was noted that the suspect with blood stains was in the company of the JKUAT male student and another neighbour on that fateful night. The trio claimed that they watched an African Cup of Nations (AFCON) match and had supper together before they parted ways.
The JKUAT student, on his end, explained that he had visited the Roysambu apartments that day to visit his uncle. He told the police that he left the apartments after the match.
The fourth suspect arraigned was the short-term accommodation unit owner who was accused of failing to record the full details of the man believed to have invited Waeni for a night out.
“It is in the best interest of the respondents that they are thoroughly investigated and exonerated if they are innocent rather than hurried investigations where they charge only to be acquitted after a long trial.
“There is no doubt that the nation’s psyche has been gripped by the increased murder cases in short-stay rentals where victims have been lured and killed, raising public outrage and concerns about the safety of those in these rentals," Senior Principal Magistrate Justus Kituku directed.
Main Suspect
The foreigner, alleged to be of Nigerian descent, was believed to have been captured on CCTV moments after leaving the crime scene.
Meanwhile, the family of Waeni revealed that the slain student was allegedly kidnapped by her killer who demanded a ransom of Ksh500,000.
Waeni and her killer are reported to have met on social media and was convinced to travel from Syokimau to Roysambu to meet the mysterious man.
"Additional two messages were sent to the family demanding the ransom. Unfortunately, the family did not get further details about the ransom or an opportunity to explore this route.
"Additionally, some demands were made when she had already been murdered," read the statement by the family.
