A 41-year-old woman was found brutally murdered in her apartment in Kayole, Nairobi, in what police suspect to be a domestic violence-related incident. The victim, Catherene Wanjiru, was discovered on May 11 with fatal stab wounds to her neck, reportedly inflicted during a violent altercation with her boyfriend.
Wanjiru’s 10-year-old son, who lived with her, was in the house at the time of the incident. According to preliminary police reports, the boy told authorities that a man known only as Sammy, a frequent visitor to the home and reportedly his mother’s boyfriend, had visited that day. The boy recounted hearing a heated argument between the two adults, which escalated quickly into violence.
He claims the man picked up a kitchen knife and stabbed his mother before fleeing the scene. The child’s screams for help went unanswered until neighbors responded and discovered the gruesome scene. Police later recovered a knife believed to be the murder weapon on the ground floor of the apartment building, where the suspect allegedly discarded it while escaping.
Wanjiru’s body was moved to the mortuary for an autopsy as police continue their investigations. Authorities have launched a manhunt for the suspect, with detectives treating the case as a homicide.
This tragic incident adds to a growing list of femicide and gender-based violence (GBV) cases in Kenya, which have drawn nationwide concern. In response to the rising cases, President William Ruto recently commissioned a Technical Working Group to investigate GBV and femicide trends, identify hotspots, and recommend solutions. The team, chaired by former Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Baraza, is currently gathering public input on the issue.
President Ruto emphasized that GBV and femicide inflict severe harm on individuals and communities, hinder development, and threaten national security. He acknowledged systemic gaps in prevention, response, investigations, and support for survivors that need urgent addressing.
As investigations into Wanjiru’s death continue, the incident underscores the urgent need for concrete action to protect vulnerable individuals and curb domestic violence in Kenyan society.
