Detectives in Meru County have arrested a man suspected of murdering a 65-year-old woman at her home in Kithoka, Imenti East Sub-county. Solomon Kathurima Kairemia was arrested on September 21, 2026, following weeks of forensic analysis and intelligence-led investigations. The investigations were conducted by detectives from the County Criminal Investigations Office and DCI Imenti North. The arrest brings hope to the family and community that justice will be served.
The murder victim, Evelyne Mukiri Mbaabu, was fatally attacked at her home on August 7. According to police, Mbaabu was preparing supper with her 13-year-old grandson when an unknown man walked into the compound and headed to the kitchen. The suspect asked for drinking water, gaining the trust of the grandmother and her grandson. However, the situation quickly turned violent.
The 13-year-old boy later heard his grandmother screaming for help and rushed to the kitchen, where he found her lying in a pool of blood. The assailant then attacked the boy, striking him on the hand with a panga before fleeing the scene. Mbaabu was rushed to Grace Park Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival. The boy's hand injury was likely a traumatic experience for him.
Detectives said Kairemia had abandoned his house by the time they traced him and had been spending nights hiding in thickets a few metres from his residence. This suggests that the suspect was aware of the investigation and was trying to evade capture. The police were able to track him down through their intelligence-led investigations.
A blood-stained panga, which investigators believe may have been used in the attack, was recovered during Kairemia's arrest and secured for further forensic examination. The recovery of the panga is a crucial piece of evidence that links the suspect to the crime scene. Police said an identification parade was subsequently conducted, during which Kairemia was positively identified as the suspect.
Kairemia was later arraigned before the Meru Law Courts, where investigators obtained a 14-day custodial order to allow them to complete their investigations. The suspect is currently in custody, and detectives are continuing to probe the motive and the circumstances surrounding Mbaabu's death. The police are working to gather more evidence and build a strong case against the suspect.
The arrest of Solomon Kathurima Kairemia brings closure to the family of Evelyne Mukiri Mbaabu, who have been seeking justice for her brutal murder. The police investigation is ongoing, and the suspect will face justice for his alleged crime. The community is relieved that the suspect has been apprehended and is hopeful that he will be held accountable for his actions.
Key points
- Detectives arrested Solomon Kathurima Kairemia on September 21, 2026, for the murder of Evelyne Mukiri Mbaabu.
- The suspect was identified through intelligence-led investigations and forensic analysis.
- A blood-stained panga was recovered during Kairemia's arrest, linking him to the crime scene.
