Shock and grief have engulfed a family in Nairobi’s Pipeline estate after their daughter, 27-year-old Susan Nabwire, was brutally murdered by her husband in a horrifying attack that unfolded inside their rented house on the night of August 13, 2025.
Susan’s relatives say they are struggling to come to terms with the tragic loss of a young woman whose life was cut short by the very person meant to protect her.
Left behind is a one-year-old baby girl, now orphaned and in the care of grieving family members, while the father sits in police custody.
According to accounts from the family and the house help who witnessed the ordeal, Susan’s husband, 44-year-old Cyprian Mukoye, returned home in an agitated state.
He reportedly demanded access to his wife’s phone, passwords, and M-Pesa PIN, accusing her of infidelity. Heated arguments followed throughout the night, with Susan resisting his demands despite being threatened.
The situation took a tragic turn around 3 a.m. when Mukoye allegedly fetched an axe from the bathroom and launched a brutal assault. He struck Susan on the neck, causing a deep cut that left her bleeding helplessly on the floor.
Despite her cries for mercy, the violence escalated—he strangled her with a rope and repeatedly stabbed her, ignoring pleas from both his wife and their terrified house help.
In a shocking twist, the house help revealed that after killing Susan, Mukoye sexually assaulted her before locking her, the baby, and Susan’s body inside the house. He then fled the scene, taking the family’s mobile phones with him.
Police were later called to the house and had to break down the door.
They discovered Susan’s lifeless body hidden under the bed. Her remains were transferred to Mama Lucy Hospital mortuary as investigations began.
Susan, who worked as an M-Pesa agent at Machakos Country Bus, had been the breadwinner for her young child. Her husband, once a police officer, had reportedly lost his job and was working as a casual laborer in Pipeline.
Police confirmed on Saturday that the suspect has been arrested and is being held at Embakasi Police Station, awaiting court proceedings.
For Susan’s family, however, the pain of losing their loved one in such a brutal manner will remain an unhealed wound.
Support for Domestic Violence Victims in Kenya
This heartbreaking case is a reminder that domestic violence remains a serious crisis affecting families across the country.
In Kenya, families and individuals experiencing abuse are encouraged to report incidents immediately to the nearest police station or call the National GBV (Gender-Based Violence) Helpline 1195, which operates toll-free and confidentially, 24 hours a day.
Support can also be accessed through hospitals, community social workers, or organizations such as the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Kenya) and CREAW Kenya, which provide legal aid and psychosocial support.
Equally important is mental health wellness—for both survivors of abuse and families left behind after such tragedies.
Seeking counseling, support groups, and professional mental health services can play a vital role in healing from trauma, breaking cycles of violence, and ensuring children orphaned or affected by domestic abuse receive the care they need.
For those struggling with trauma, grief, or emotional distress, mental health wellness is equally vital. Survivors and affected families can access free or affordable counseling by calling the Befrienders Kenya hotline at +254 722 178 177 or reaching out to the Chiromo Lane Medical Centre Mental Health Support line: 0800 221 011 (toll-free).
These services connect callers with trained counselors who can provide immediate emotional support and guidance.
Seeking help is not a sign of weakness—it is an important step in breaking cycles of violence, healing from trauma, and ensuring that children and families affected by such tragedies receive the care they need.
