Detectives in Kirinyaga East have arrested three men believed to be behind the horrific murder of Jackline Waruguru Kathuri, whose body was found dumped in a thicket in Ninga-ini village on November 22, 2025.
Her killing had left the community shaken, with residents demanding justice for a woman described as humble and hardworking.
According to the Director of Criminal Investigations, the discovery of Jackline’s body followed a distress call made to Kiamutugu Police Station after locals spotted something unusual in a nearby thicket.
The officers who responded quickly following the call by the locals discovered the body had severe burn wounds, a missing right upper arm and breast, and visible head injuries. Her body was later moved to Kerugoya County Referral Hospital for preservation and a postmortem.
Determined to uncover what happened, detectives immediately launched a search for those responsible. Their first breakthrough came from forensic evidence recovered at the scene, which led them to Collins Muchira Ngege, the first suspect to be arrested.
During interrogation, Ngege reportedly led officers to two other men — John Brian Kimotho Kamau and Stephen Muchiri Karani — who were later picked up in coordinated operations.
In a statement, the DCI says preliminary investigations indicate that Jackline went missing on 16 November 2025 after leaving home and never made it back, with the findings suggesting she was gang-raped, violently assaulted, and dragged to the spot where her body was found days later.
The three suspects are currently in police custody as detectives finalise their investigations before taking them to court. Police say more details will emerge once the postmortem and forensic tests are complete.
Residents of Ninga-ini have expressed relief at the arrests but are calling for swift justice to bring closure to Jackline’s grieving family.
The Authorities have urged members of the public to continue collaborating by anonymously reporting the perpetrators of such acts.
