Directorate of Criminal Investigation(DCI) Homicide detectives have appealed to members of the public to help them identify Rita Waeni’s main murder suspect who has remained at large since the incident happened in January 2024.
In a statement on their X account, DCI confirmed that the man who was only captured by CCTV cameras walking with Rita moments before her murder is the prime suspect. They however say they are not relenting and are using all resources at their disposal in his pursuit.
“Elaborate forensic analysis have so far been done by the investigating team, capturing the deceased’s last moments and linking probable suspects to her murder. Further, detailed statements by persons of interest have been recorded and more data sourced from digital platforms to ensure that all leads to Rita’s killer(s) are utilized.” The statement read in part.
They have also said that the suspect first initiated communication with the late Waeni on October 2, 2023 through an pseudo Instagram account as Carlton Maina , which was later changed several times and finally pulled down immediately after the heinous murder.
The suspect according to authorities is believed to have visited several hotels in Nairobi West in October 2023 and the Green House Airbnb located in Roysambu along TRM Drive on Nov 7 and Nov 11, 2023.
“He is also believed to have a criminal mind evidenced by his way of evading CCTV cameras. He is fluent in Swahili and English, and has knowledge of Nairobi and its environs.” the statement continues to read.
In a bid to bring justice to Waeni and closure to the family, Homicide Directorate is calling upon anyone who can identify the man whose images (though blurry) appear on this post, to come forward and share information that may assist in his arrest.
“ To share any information on the suspect’s identity or whereabouts, please #FichuakwaDCI through our toll-free hotline 0800 722 203, or report to any police station or police officer” DCI says in their statement.
The Makadara Law Court on February 15 freed two Nigerian nationals who had been arrested in connection to the murder.
The court had allowed police to detain William Ovie Opia and Johnbull Asbour, who had been in police custody since January 22, but directed that they appear before investigators once a week as the probe continues.
Rita Waeni,20, was a third-year student at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. She was staying with her aunt at Syokimau in Nairobi, the home she left at 3pm on January 13, 2024, never to return alive.
Waeni was buried in a private ceremony on February 5.
APPEAL FOR INFORMATION
The DCI Homicide detectives are at advanced stages of investigation of the monstrous murder of Miss Rita Waeni, 20, whose young life was ended in January 2024 by yet to be arrested cold-blooded killer(s).
Before her tragic death, Rita Waeni, a third-year… pic.twitter.com/qdU7xq5cEh
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) April 24, 2024
Also read; Slain Student Rita Waeni Buried In A Private Event In Makueni