Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) intensified investigations into a chilling series of murders linked to 23-year-old Joseph Njoroge Weru.
Under the stewardship of Homicide detectives, augmented by experts from the Crime Scene Investigations Unit (CSI), the Photographic Imaging and Acoustics Unit, and the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) at DCI Headquarters, the sleuths have unraveled a grim trail of calculated deception and brutality.
The detectives have established that two young women — Mary Yamasei Merutuni (28) and Beatrice Nyawira Nyokabi (22) — were brutally killed in carefully premeditated attacks.
On January 17, 2026, Mary Yamasei left her rented residence in the Castle area of Naro Moru after the suspect persuaded her to accompany him for a “picnic” in Karogoto area within Thiu Sub-Location, Nyeri County.
While approaching a hiking track- adjacent to Karogoto stream, the suspect allegedly got behind her and struck her repeatedly on the back of the head, killing her, before dragging her body and dumping it in Karogoto Stream in a bid to conceal the crime.
The following day, locals discovered the body in the stream and reported the matter to Kiamachimbi Police Station, prompting officers to respond swiftly. At the scene, investigators recovered a thick, blood-stained stick believed to be the murder weapon. After the murder, the suspect allegedly returned to the deceased’s house, stole household items — including furniture — sold them at a second-hand shop, and even spent the night in her home. Five days later, tragedy struck again. On January 24, 2026, Beatrice Nyawira Nyokabi, a barber from Karindundu in Karatina, was reportedly lured by the suspect for a “hike” to Ithe Kauno village near the Gura River.
In a similar pattern, she was allegedly attacked from behind and fatally assaulted before her body was disposed of.
The suspect later sold her mattress, bed, woofer and other belongings at a second-hand furniture shop in Karatina town and allegedly intended to occupy her residence.
Following a relentless pursuit by DCI sleuths, the suspect was apprehended in Nyeri on 13 February 13, 2026 and arraigned on February 16, 2026. The court granted orders to detain him for 30 days pending completion of investigations.
Determined to unearth the truth, the investigating team and forensic experts were led by the suspect to the house of the deceased, Beatrice Nyawira Nyokabi, in the Karindundu area within Karatina.
There, they recovered some of the suspect’s clothes and an imitation pistol.
The detectives then proceeded to Ithekahuno Village in Tetu Sub-County, where the suspect identified the scene where he murdered and left the body of Beatrice Nyawira Nyokabi on January 24, 2026. Notably, the decomposed body was recovered at the same location on 12th February 2026, with the right hand missing.
The officers conducted an extensive search of the area and recovered a decomposed human right arm suspected to belong to the late Beatrice Nyawira Nyokabi.
The same was documented and taken to Nyeri PGH Mortuary for preservation, awaiting autopsy.
Still in the company of the suspect, the team thereafter proceeded to Panafric Hostel within Karatina Town, to the room of a lady whom the suspect had earlier taken to the house of the late Beatrice Nyawira Nyokabi after murdering her.
Inside the hostel, a jacket belonging to the suspect and the late Beatrice Nyawira Nyokabi’s house keys were also recovered.
Finally, the suspect led the officers to a shop, namely Kamwana’s Agency Limited, within Karatina Town, where he had sold the late Beatrice Nyawira Nyokabi’s household items, including a mattress, a bed, and a woofer. The shop attendants confirmed the same, which was corroborated by CCTV footage retrieved from the premises.
Investigations remain active as detectives follow leads to establish whether additional victims may be linked to the suspect, particularly in areas where he previously resided, including Nyandarua, Nakuru, Nyeri, Laikipia and Juja in Kiambu County.
The DCI urged members of the public with information regarding missing persons in the regions to report to the nearest police station, as efforts to secure justice for the victims continue.
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