Kenyan detectives have arrested two new suspects in connection with the August 7 killing of 65-year-old Evelyne Mukiri Mbaabu in Meru County. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) announced the detention of Godwin Kimathi, the victim's brother, and Beth Muthomi, sister-in-law of the deceased. According to the DCI, the two suspects were believed to have orchestrated the killing over a longstanding land dispute.
The DCI stated that Kimathi and Muthomi conspired to eliminate Mbaabu and then contracted Solomon Kathurima Kairemia to execute the murder. Kairemia, who was detained on September 21, was the prime suspect in the case. Investigators noted that Kimathi and Muthomi maintained frequent contact before and after the attack, indicating premeditation and coordinated planning.
The murder took place at Mbaabu's home in Kithoka Village on August 7. Following their arrest, Kimathi and Muthomi were arraigned in court, where magistrates ordered them to be remanded in custody pending mandatory mental-health assessments before formal pleas are entered. The DCI confirmed that the investigation remains active, with detectives pursuing further leads.
The agency expressed condolences to the family, friends, and relatives of Evelyne Mukiri Mbaabu in its statement. The DCI's investigation is focused on fully reconstructing the circumstances of the homicide and bringing all responsible parties to justice. Detectives used forensic and intelligence-led methods to trace Kairemia's movements and recover a blood-stained panga.
According to the DCI, the land dispute between the suspects and the victim was a motive for the murder. The agency did not provide further details on the nature of the dispute. Kimathi and Muthomi's roles in the alleged murder plot are being investigated.
The DCI's statement did not mention any potential connections between the suspects and the victim beyond the family ties and land dispute. The investigation is ongoing, and detectives are working to establish the extent of Kimathi and Muthomi's involvement in the crime.
The arrests of Kimathi and Muthomi bring the total number of suspects detained in connection with Mbaabu's murder to three. The DCI is expected to provide further updates on the investigation as more information becomes available.
Key points
- Two new suspects, Godwin Kimathi and Beth Muthomi, have been arrested in connection with the murder of Evelyne Mukiri Mbaabu in Meru County.
- The suspects, who are the victim's brother and sister-in-law, were believed to have orchestrated the killing over a longstanding land dispute.
- The investigation remains active, with detectives pursuing further leads to bring all responsible parties to justice.
