The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has released CCTV images of the primary suspect in the brutal murder of 20-year-old university student Rita Waeni.
Waeni was discovered deceased on January 14 in a short-term rental apartment in Nairobi’s Roysambu area, her body dismembered with the head missing. Subsequently, her head was found at a dam in Kiambu County on January 21.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the DCI reported that extensive forensic analyses have been conducted, advancing the murder investigation significantly. “Elaborate forensic analyses have so far been done by the investigating team, capturing the deceased’s last moments and linking probable suspects to her murder. Further, detailed statements by persons of interest have been recorded and more data sourced from digital platforms to ensure that all leads to Rita’s killer(s) are utilized,” the investigative agency stated.
Detectives have urged the public to provide any information regarding the whereabouts of the prime suspect in the murder, a man captured by CCTV cameras walking Waeni to the scene of her death. “The Homicide Directorate calls upon anyone who can identify the man whose images (though blurry) appear on this post, to come forward and share information that may assist in his arrest,” DCI said.
According to the agency, it has been established that the unidentified man first initiated communication with Waeni on October 2, 2023, through an Instagram account under the name Carlton Maina. The DCI noted that the account name underwent multiple changes and was eventually deactivated immediately after the student’s murder.
