Detectives in Meru County have arrested a man suspected of fatally attacking 65-year-old Evelyne Mukiri Mbaabu at her home in Kithoka, Imenti East Sub-County.
Solomon Kathurima Kairemia was arrested on September 21, 2026, following weeks of forensic analysis and intelligence-led investigations by detectives from the CCIO’s Office and DCI Imenti North.
Mukiri was attacked on August 7 while preparing supper with her 13-year-old grandson.
According to investigators, an unknown man entered the compound and walked to the kitchen, where he asked for drinking water. Moments later, the teenager heard his grandmother screaming for help.
He rushed to the kitchen and found Mukiri lying in a pool of blood.
The attacker allegedly turned on the boy and struck him on the hand with a panga before fleeing the scene.
Mukiri was rushed to Grace Park Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
Following the murder, detectives launched investigations that eventually led them to Kairemia.
By the time officers arrested him, investigators say he had abandoned his house and was hiding at night in nearby thickets, only a few metres from his residence.
Detectives recovered a blood-stained panga during the arrest. The weapon has since been secured as an exhibit as investigations continue.
Kairemia was later positively identified during a police identification parade before being presented at the Meru Law Courts.
Investigators obtained a 14-day custodial order to allow them more time to complete their investigations into the circumstances surrounding Mukiri’s death.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has extended its condolences to Mukiri’s family, friends and relatives, saying detectives remain committed to pursuing all available leads to establish the motive and circumstances surrounding the killing.
The suspect remains in custody as investigators continue building the case.
