Nyeri: Murder suspect arrested while fleeing to Uganda

Detectives led by Head of Homicide Martin Nguguto intercepted Muriithi during a dramatic night operation at Timau along the Nanyuki-Isiolo road.

 At the time of his capture, the suspect was in transit toward neighbouring Uganda, actively being helped by his family to escape the police. 

The arrest follows a chilling investigation into the killing of Kanini, a well-known local entrepreneur and graduate of The Nyeri National Polytechnic. 

According to investigators, the murder took place inside a residential house located in Ngangarithi estate, within Nyeri town.

The officers established that Kanini was last seen alive visiting the suspect at the rental property before she vanished, prompting an intensive search by family and friends.

Inside the Ngangarithi residence, the suspect allegedly attacked Kanini, killing her before systematically chopping her body into pieces to conceal the crime. 

Pieces of the victim’s dismembered body were later found dumped inside sacks along the Nyeri-Karatina highway. 

To gather further forensic evidence, DCI detectives later returned to the Ngangarithi estate property where they excavated a septic tank and recovered additional human remains believed to belong to the deceased. Police also recovered a blood stained panga, believed to be the murder weapon inside the rented house. 

Muriithi, who had initially joined Kanini's family in searching for her to deflect suspicion, went into hiding as soon as the mutilated remains were identified. 

Intelligence teams tracked his movement through Laikipia County before laying an ambush in Timau under the cover of darkness. 

Detectives confirmed that family members who funded and orchestrated his escape route face potential charges for aiding and abetting a fugitive.

 The suspect remains in police custody awaiting formal arraignment in court to face murder charges.