A 23-year-old suspect was detained on Thursday for 30 days as detectives intensify investigations into the brutal killings of two young women in Nyeri County.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations said forensic experts uncovered evidence pointing to premeditated attacks and calculated deception.
Police say the two women were brutally killed by Joseph Njoroge Weru in carefully premeditated attacks as the suspect remains in custody for 30 days.
According to detectives, the case is being handled by homicide officers supported by forensic specialists.
“Under the stewardship of Homicide detectives, augmented by experts from the Crime Scene Investigations Unit (CSI), the Photographic Imaging and Acoustics Unit, and the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) at DCI Headquarters, the detectives have unraveled a grim trail of calculated deception and brutality.”
Investigators say two young women, Mary Yamasei Merutuni, 28, and Beatrice Nyawira Nyokabi, 22, were targeted.
“The detectives have established that two young women were brutally killed in carefully premeditated attacks.”
Police allege that on January 17, 2026, Mary Yamasei left her rented residence in the Castle area of Naro Moru after being persuaded to go for a picnic in Karogoto area within Thiu Sub-Location.
“While approaching a hiking track adjacent to Karogoto stream, the suspect allegedly got behind her and struck her repeatedly on the back of the head, killing her, before dragging her body and dumping it in Karogoto Stream in a bid to conceal the crime.”
Her body was discovered the following day. “Locals discovered the body in the stream and reported the matter to Kiamachimbi Police Station, prompting officers to respond swiftly.” At the scene, investigators recovered a thick, blood-stained stick believed to be the murder weapon.
Police said the suspect returned to her house. “After the murder, the suspect allegedly returned to the deceased’s house, stole household items including furniture, sold them at a second-hand shop, and even spent the night in her home.”
Five days later, a second killing occurred. “On January 24, 2026, Beatrice Nyawira Nyokabi was reportedly lured by the suspect for a ‘hike’ to Ithe Kauno village near the Gura River.”
In what detectives describe as a similar pattern, she was allegedly attacked from behind and killed before her body was disposed of.
“The suspect later sold her mattress, bed, woofer and other belongings at a second-hand furniture shop in Karatina town and allegedly intended to occupy her residence.”
Following what police called a relentless pursuit, the suspect was arrested on February 13, 2026 and arraigned three days later. “The court granted orders to detain him for 30 days pending completion of investigations.”
Detectives said the suspect led them to key locations. In Karindundu, “they recovered some of the suspect’s clothes and an imitation pistol.”
At Ithekahuno Village, he identified the scene where the second victim’s body was left. “Notably, the decomposed body was recovered at the same location on February 12, 2026, with the right hand missing.”
Officers later recovered “a decomposed human right arm suspected to belong to the late Beatrice Nyawira Nyokabi,” which was taken to Nyeri PGH Mortuary.
Investigations have extended to Karatina town, where CCTV footage retrieved from the premises corroborated the sale of stolen items.
“Investigations remain active as detectives follow leads to establish whether additional victims may be linked to the suspect,” including in Nyandarua, Nakuru, Nyeri, Laikipia and Juja.
Police have urged the public to share information, stating, “We urge members of the public with information regarding missing persons in these regions to report to the nearest police station.”
