"Ndio Huyu" Prime Suspect In Murder of Elderly Woman In Kithoka, Meru

Detectives in Meru County have arrested Solomon Kathurima Kairemia, the prime suspect in the fatal attack on 65-year-old Evelyne Mukiri Mbaabu at her home in Kithoka, Imenti East Sub-county, on August 7, 2026.

Mukiri was preparing supper with her 13-year-old grandson when an unknown man entered the compound, went to the kitchen and asked for drinking water. Moments later, the boy heard his grandmother scream for help.

He rushed to the kitchen and found her lying in a pool of blood. The assailant then struck the boy on the hand with a panga before fleeing.

The victim was rushed to Grace Park Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival. Following weeks of forensic analysis and intelligence-led investigations by detectives from the CCIO’s Office and DCI Imenti North, Kairemia was traced and arrested on September 21, 2026.

By then, he had abandoned his house and was spending nights hiding in nearby thickets, just a few metres from his residence.

During the arrest, detectives recovered a blood-stained panga, believed to have been used in the attack, and secured it as an exhibit. Kairemia was positively identified during a police identification parade and presented before the Meru Law Courts, where investigators obtained a 14-day custodial order to complete the ongoing investigations.

The DCI has extended its condolences to the family, friends and relatives of Evelyne Mukiri Mbaabu and says it remains committed to pursuing every available lead to establish the motive and circumstances surrounding her murder and ensure all those found culpable are brought to justice.