Tag: Kenyan crime news

Kenya grapples with another tragedy as a second woman is found murdered and dismembered in an Airbnb, shattering the sense of security in these short-term rentals. This appalling incident, following closely on the heels of socialite Starlet Wahu’s similar fate, has ignited an outpouring of grief, anger, and demands for immediate action.

Investigation Underway:

Authorities are actively investigating the latest case, focusing on tracing the woman’s companion and piecing together the events leading to the tragedy. The discovery of blood-stained sheets and a partially concealed body raises critical questions about the safety protocols and occupant verification processes within Airbnb operations.

Heightened Scrutiny:

Following the arrest of John Matara, suspected in Starlet Wahu’s murder, his past behavior on dating apps and even high school history are under scrutiny. Disturbing accounts from other women claiming near-fatal encounters with Matara add a chilling layer to the investigation, raising concerns about a potential pattern of violence targeting women.

Outrage and Calls for Change:

Public figures have taken to social media, voicing their outrage and demanding answers. Musician Avril poignantly questioned the alarming rise in femicide, echoing the frustrations of many. Prominent media figures like Ciru Muriuki added their voices, demanding an end to this senseless violence. Content creators like I Am Kabugi highlighted the need for stricter security measures within Airbnbs, suggesting guest verification and accountability for occupants’ safety. Kate Actress bluntly called out the issue as “FEMICIDE,” underscoring the urgency of acknowledging and addressing this specific form of violence against women.

Looking Forward:

This grim repetition demands immediate action, not just in apprehending the perpetrators but also in preventing future tragedies. Thorough investigations, tightened security measures in short-term rentals, and a nationwide commitment to protecting women are crucial steps to ensure everyone feels safe and secure in their communities.

The Shadow of Crime Looms Large

Over the past three months, crime has cast a dark shadow over Kenya, impacting nearly 1 in 5 citizens. A recent survey by Trends and Insights for Africa (TIFA) sheds light on the geographical distribution of this issue, revealing significant variations in both crime rates and reporting habits.

Hotspots and Haven

Regions like Nairobi and Western Kenya bear the brunt of crime, with 22% of residents experiencing criminal activity. In contrast, Central Rift enjoys relative peace with a 13% rate.

Reporting Disparities: A Complex Picture

However, the picture is not simply black and white. Reporting patterns paint a complex story. Western Kenya, for example, stands out with a staggering 64% reporting rate, more than double that of Lower Eastern (28%) and Nairobi (30%). This disparity suggests differing levels of willingness or ability to report crimes across regions.

The Nuances of Crime

These regional variations are likely influenced by a multitude of factors, including socio-economic conditions, the effectiveness of law enforcement, and the dynamics within different communities.

Understanding the Puzzle: Key to Effective Solutions

TIFA Analyst Tom Wolf emphasizes the importance of understanding these regional nuances for effective policymaking and law enforcement interventions.

“Understanding these regional nuances is crucial for policymakers and law enforcement agencies to tailor interventions effectively,” Wolf says. “Strengthening crime prevention strategies, fostering community engagement, and improving reporting mechanisms are pivotal in addressing these challenges.”

Moving Forward: A Collaborative Effort

Tackling crime in Kenya requires a multifaceted approach. By understanding the regional variations in crime rates and reporting patterns, policymakers and law enforcement can tailor their strategies to address the specific needs of each area. Additionally, fostering community engagement and improving reporting mechanisms can empower residents to become active participants in their own safety.

On Jamhuri Day, December 12, 2023, four suicide instances were reported by the authorities in different parts of the nation. Recognizing that suicide remains a major contributor to the country’s mortality statistics, the police have launched investigations in reaction to these instances.

The four people’s official names were withheld because the police insisted that they must notify their families before taking any further action. A 38-year-old pregnant woman was discovered dead with her body hanging in her home in Embakasi, Nairobi County.

Her feet were touching the floor and the noose was free by the time the police broke into the house. The unborn child had already passed away by the time the body was transported to the City Mortuary. She didn’t leave a suicide note behind.

In Mwea, Kirinyaga County, another man, 39, committed suicide inside his home. But his wife saved him, and they hurried him to Sagana Sub-County Hospital, where they were told he had passed away.

In the Gathungururu Sub location of Murang’a, a 35-year-old woman’s body was discovered hanging in his home. The police reported her death as a suicide. Although the incident’s motivation is unknown, an investigation has been launched.

A 37-year-old man was discovered dead in Kibwezi, Makueni County, following what appeared to be a suicide. Inside his bedroom, his lifeless body was discovered hanging from the roof rafters.

Inside his bedroom, his lifeless body was discovered hanging from the roof rafters. According to World Bank data, the suicide rate in Kenya is estimated to be 6.1 persons per 100,000, with men being the highest risk group at 9.1 men per 100,000.

Simon Mutuli Mwaka, a 21-year-old mason, is facing defilement charges after marrying a 16-year-old girl. The alleged offense occurred on November 26th at Mwaka’s home in Tassia estate, Embakasi.

Mwaka is accused of violating two sections of the Sexual Offences Act (SOA) of 2006:

• Section 8(1)(4): Defilement of a girl under the age of 18.
• Section 11(1): Committing an indecent act with a minor, which involves touching their private parts without consent.

According to court documents, Mwaka met MKK, the minor, through her mother’s phone and the mother was aware of their relationship. After completing primary school last year, MKK chose to marry Mwaka instead of enrolling in secondary school. They left Kitui together and traveled to Nairobi.

Upon arrival, Mwaka informed MKK’s mother about their marriage and MKK confirmed it. The mother reported the situation to MKK’s father, who then involved the area chief and local authorities.

Following an investigation, Mwaka was arrested at his residence where he was found with the minor. Medical examinations at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital confirmed the defilement.

In court, Mwaka claimed MKK wanted to drop the charges, but the court clarified that as a child, she cannot do so. Mwaka pleaded not guilty and was released on a surety bond of Sh150,000.

This case highlights the ongoing issue of child marriage and exploitation in Kenya. Despite the law prohibiting defilement, young girls like MKK remain vulnerable. The legal process will determine Mwaka’s guilt or innocence, but the situation underscores the need for stronger protection and support for children in Kenya.

In a tragic incident, a police officer in Eldoret town shot and killed his wife before returning to work as if nothing had happened. The incident occurred on Tuesday, November 28, within the Railways police line.

According to police reports, the officer, who was armed with a scorpion rifle, fired three shots at his wife, striking her twice in the chest. The woman’s lifeless body was found lying in a pool of blood in the couple’s home.

The officer, who had gone back to his report office after the shooting, was disarmed and arrested by his colleagues. Investigations into the motive behind the murder are ongoing, but police believe that domestic quarrels may have played a role.

This incident is not the first of its kind. In October, a policewoman in the same area shot and killed her husband following a domestic dispute. These incidents have raised concerns about the increasing number of trauma-related attacks by police officers, which are believed to be linked to stress.

In an effort to address this issue, police authorities have launched counseling services and the National Police Service Commission has established a unit to specifically address the mental health needs of police officers. The counseling unit will, among other things, evaluate, design, and lead an outreach program that helps prevent mental health and substance abuse issues among officers.

Officials have acknowledged the challenges faced by police officers, who are often on the receiving end of community problems and are expected to maintain law and order in difficult situations. The recent spike in deaths within the police service has been linked to trauma, including deaths by gun.

 

It is crucial that police authorities take steps to address the mental health needs of their officers to prevent further tragedies.

A male police officer was arrested in Rangwe, Kenya, on Sunday after being linked to the defilement of a 17-year-old girl in a cell at the local police station.

The officer, whose name has not been released, was arrested after the girl reported the matter to the police. A police report indicated that the suspect took advantage of darkness at the station to commit the sexual offence.

The girl was under police protection on grounds that she was to testify against her father who was also accused of defiling her at their home.

Since the Rangwe police station has no protection unit, the girl was taken to a female cell to sleep overnight.

It is reported that the officer sneaked into the cell and defiled the girl. There was no power at the time the officer sneaked into the cell where the girl was.

Homa Bay police commander Samson Kinne said they are kin on the medical examination report to know whether there was penetration or not.

The girl has been taken to Rangwe Hospital for a medication examination.

The case was immediately booked and reported to senior police officers.

“The suspect is in our custody for further interrogation. The girl was being protected to avoid any compromise as she was supposed to testify in court,” Kinne said.

The investigation file will be presented to the Directorate of Public Prosecution for further advice.

“The suspect was found walking within Rangwe town before he was arrested and put in custody,” he added.

Speaking over the matter on Monday, Homa Bay Children’s officer Joseph Otieno said they got a report that the officer defiled the minor.

A female officer who was also on duty that night together with the suspect is reported to have visited the cell at around 10 pm but did not immediately learn about the defilement incident.

“The girl told the female officer that she would share some information with her the following morning. The officer left before she was given the information,” Otieno said.

The girl later narrated the ordeal to the female officer.

Otieno said they would arraign the suspect in court.

This is a disturbing case of a police officer allegedly abusing his power to defile a minor. The police have said that they are investigating the matter and that the suspect will be charged.

Police in Thika have recovered a Ceska pistol, which was robbed from a civilian firearm holder in Kahawa Sukari on January 2023. The recovery followed a search at a wounded man’s house in Makongeni, Thika.

The Incident and Subsequent Investigation

On Monday, an unknown man was sprayed with bullets near the Thika Level Five hospital. Police rushed to the scene and found the badly injured man. They took him to the hospital, where doctors managed to stop his bleeding.

However, the man refused to give his name or provide any other identifying information. This prompted the police to initiate a forensic ID process.

Through this process, the police were able to identify the man and locate his residence at Gireki Plaza in Makongeni. They conducted a search of the man’s house and found the Ceska pistol loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition, hidden under the carpet alongside a roll of bhang.

Preliminary Investigations and Suspect’s Alleged Involvement in Other Robberies

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the firearm is the same one that was robbed from a civilian firearm holder in Kahawa Sukari in January 2023. During that robbery, two armed men riding on an unmarked motorcycle accosted the victim at a construction site and stole his mobile phone and cash.

On the same day, the two suspects also robbed three people at Landless Section 2. They stole their mobile phones and money at gunpoint.

The police believe that the shot suspect may have known his attackers, as they had allegedly engaged in an altercation over a previous engagement before the shots were fired.

Current Status of the Suspect and Ongoing Investigations

The suspect is currently under police guard pending his recuperation, formal arrest, and arraignment. He has a gunshot wound in the stomach.

The police are also continuing their pursuit of the suspect’s accomplices.

Significance of the Pistol Recovery

The recovery of the stolen pistol is a significant development in the investigation of these robberies. It provides further evidence of the suspect’s involvement and will help to strengthen the case against him.

Conclusion

The police are committed to bringing the perpetrators of these crimes to justice. They are urging anyone with information about these incidents to come forward and contact them.

This is an important case that highlights the dangers of armed robberies. It is also a reminder of the importance of police work in bringing criminals to justice.

A city contractor, Davendra Keshra, is facing assault charges at the Makadara Law Courts for allegedly beating his female employee, Sharon Beywa.

The incident occurred at the South B shopping center in Nairobi after a disagreement over the compensation of an injured employee. Beywa, a safety health officer at Keshra’s company, had arrived at the scene to find Keshra arguing with the injured employee.

The employee had been told by medics to take a rest from work, but Keshra was reportedly unhappy with this, as he was still paying the employee despite him being out of work.

Keshra allegedly summoned Beywa and began arguing with her over the employee’s demands. He demanded receipts to prove that the employee was demanding the correct amount of money, but Beywa and the employee could not provide them, as most matatus (minibuses) in Nairobi do not issue receipts.

The argument escalated, and Keshra allegedly began hurling insults at Beywa. She left the scene and went to her office, but Keshra followed her and punched her on the cheeks. He also grabbed two chairs to hit her, but another worker intervened and restrained him.

Beywa sought treatment and continued working until she left the company. However, in September 2023, her jaw began to develop complications and she had to seek further treatment. She was told that she had soft tissue injuries that had not healed completely.

Beywa then reported the matter to the police, explaining that she had been afraid to do so at the time of the incident for fear of losing her job. Keshra was arrested and released on bail. His case will be mentioned on December 8, 2023, and the hearing will begin on April 11, 2024.

Roseline Kahega, a part-time domestic worker, pleaded guilty to stealing $7000 (about Sh1,050,000) from her ailing employer, Libin Abdi Mohamed, in Nairobi on October 13, 2023.

Kahega had been hired by Mohamed to help clean her house while she prepared for surgery abroad. On the day of the theft, Kahega failed to show up for work and switched off her phone. Mohamed discovered the money missing and reported the matter to the police.

The police tracked Kahega to Kericho County, where she was arrested while traveling to Vihiga on a bus. She was found in possession of a silver pulse containing Sh10,000 and a bus ticket to Mbale town. The pulse belonged to Mohamed.

Kahega was taken to Kericho police station and then to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Shauri moyo offices in Nairobi. She appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Mary Njagi and pleaded guilty to the theft charges.

Kahega was remanded in custody until October 25, 2023, when the prosecution will present its case against her and the court will issue a conviction and sentence.

Tl;dr:

• A part-time domestic worker stole $7000 from her ailing employer in Nairobi.
• She was arrested in Kericho County while traveling to Vihiga.
• She was found in possession of the stolen money and a bus ticket to Mbale town.
• She pleaded guilty to the theft charges and was remanded in custody until October 25, 2023.