Nairobi, October 13, 2025 —
Police in Dandora, Nairobi, are investigating the brutal murder of a 40-year-old woman who was found dead in her home after an alleged domestic dispute turned violent.
The victim, identified as Judy Wambui Maina, was discovered lying on the floor of her house on Sunday morning, hours after neighbours reported hearing loud commotion from the couple’s home.
According to police, Judy’s husband—who remains the prime suspect—fled after the attack and is currently on the run.
Neighbours Alert Police After Disturbance
Residents told officers they heard an argument followed by screams coming from the couple’s house. When they rushed to check, they found the door slightly open and Judy’s lifeless body on the floor, bleeding from a head injury.
“We heard loud noises around midnight, but by morning the house had gone quiet. That’s when we decided to check and found her dead,” said a neighbour.
Police officers from Dandora Police Station arrived at the scene and moved the body to the City Mortuary for an autopsy. Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have since launched a manhunt for the husband, who disappeared after the incident.
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Police Launch Manhunt for Suspect
Nairobi County Police Commander Adamson Bungei confirmed that officers are pursuing leads to locate the suspect.
“We have crucial information on his movements after the incident. Our teams are actively tracking him, and it’s only a matter of time before he is arrested,” said Bungei.
The murder adds to a worrying trend of domestic violence cases being reported across the country. According to the National Crime Research Centre (NCRC), Kenya recorded a 32% increase in domestic-related homicides between 2023 and 2024.
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International Kenya and FIDA Kenya, have repeatedly urged authorities to strengthen prevention measures and expand psychosocial support for victims of gender-based violence.
Growing Cases of Domestic Violence
A recent UN Women report on gender-based violence in Africa found that nearly 40% of Kenyan women have experienced physical or emotional abuse in intimate relationships.
Experts blame rising economic stress, alcohol abuse, and lack of conflict resolution mechanisms as major triggers of domestic violence.
“Domestic abuse remains a silent epidemic in Kenya,” said Wangechi Kimaru, a gender rights activist. “Until there is proper enforcement of laws like the Protection Against Domestic Violence Act, these murders will continue.”
The Ministry of Public Service, Gender and Affirmative Action has urged communities to report violence early to prevent further tragedies. Victims can access counselling and legal aid through the government’s Gender Violence Recovery Centres (GVRC) and the 1195 national helpline.
For more information on how to report or seek help, visit the official National Gender and Equality Commission or UN Women Africa websites.
Police Urge Calm and Cooperation
Police have appealed to the public to remain calm and assist investigators by sharing information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect.
“We urge anyone with details on the husband’s whereabouts to report to the nearest police station or call the DCI hotline,” said an officer involved in the probe.
The Dandora murder is the latest in a series of domestic violence-related killings that have rocked Nairobi this year. Authorities continue to stress that early reporting and community vigilance are key to saving lives.
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