Family appeals for investigation after Indian engineer killed in Nairobi attack

The family and friends of a 31-year-old Indian engineer killed in Nairobi on New Year’s Day are calling for renewed attention to the case, saying there has been little progress in the investigation more than two months after the incident.

Thandalam Madapusi Soundara Rajan Daasarathi, commonly known as Daasarathi TMS, was working in Kenya on an assignment with Prodapt supporting mobile money systems for a leading mobile communication company.

According to an account provided by a close friend who was visiting Kenya at the time, the attack occurred in the early hours of January 1, 2026, in the Kilimani area of Nairobi.

The friend, said she had travelled to Kenya as a tourist between December 19, 2025 and January 4, 2026 and was staying with Daasarathi at his apartment along Marcus Garvey Road.

The two had celebrated New Year’s Eve with colleagues before returning home shortly after midnight.

At approximately 2:36 a.m., Daasarathi briefly left the apartment to buy medicine from a 24-hour pharmacy located about 450 metres away.

While walking back home around 3:20 a.m., he was reportedly attacked by two men riding a motorcycle.

According to the account, CCTV footage from the area allegedly shows the suspects following him before stopping in the middle of the road.

One of the men reportedly approached him and stabbed him in the chest before fleeing.

There was no robbery and none of the victim’s belongings were taken.

Daasarathi was rushed to The Nairobi Women’s Hospital – Hurlingham, where he was pronounced dead.

A medical report later indicated the cause of death as cardiac tamponade caused by penetrating chest trauma.

The case was initially handled by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

Investigators reportedly collected CCTV footage from the area, and the case was expected to be transferred to the homicide unit.

However, according to the victim’s friend, more than two months have passed without updates on the investigation.

Despite the involvement of multiple authorities including the DCI and the Office of the Director of Prosecutions, the friend said there have been no arrests or communication regarding progress in the case.

She also claims that the CCTV footage reportedly captured clear images of the suspects and the registration details of the motorcycle used in the attack.

Police said on Thursday the case remains active and they are still pursuing it.

The police said no arrest had been made so far.

Daasarathi, originally from Chennai, India, had been working in Nairobi as part of an international technology assignment supporting mobile financial systems used by millions of Kenyans.

Friends said he had grown fond of Kenya and considered it a second home.

His family and loved ones are now urging authorities to provide updates and ensure the case is fully investigated.

Murder cases have been on the rise amid efforts to solve them. Most of the reported cases remain unsolved amid investigations.