Police in Nakuru probe rape, murder of 22 years old Mount Kenya University (MKU) student

Police in Nakuru have launched investigations into the rape and murder of a 22-year-old Mt Kenya University student, whose body was discovered on today afternoon.

Rongai Sub-county Divisional Criminal Investigation Officer (DCIO) Donatta Otieno said the evidence pointed to a case of rape and murder.

“Her underwear had been removed and left beside the body. It is evident she tried to defend herself but was overpowered.” Otieno said while addressing the media yesterday.

The DCIO added that they were in contact with the university to help locate the student’s family.

“We are transferring the body to the Nakuru County morgue, awaiting identification by her family and a postmortem.” She added.

The student’s body was found by residents in Hill View Estate, Kiamunyi in a maize farm at a location suggesting a struggle between her and her attacker.

Brighton Roman, a resident, said he was passing by the farm when he noticed the body and alerted the community.

“At first, I thought someone was resting under the shade of a tree after farming. However, I became concerned with their posture and moved closer.” Roman said.

On closer inspection, Roman realised the person, who was half-naked, was immobile and unresponsive. He then called in women from the neighbourhood to assess the situation.

“A handbag containing identification documents was found a few metres away on the road. We compared her face with the IDs and confirmed they belonged to her.” Roman added.

Kiamunyi Location Senior Chief Wilson Maraga, who responded to the scene, noted that the handbag contained her national ID, student ID, and a receipt from a public service transport company.

“The receipt indicated she paid for the fare at 1305 hours in Thika, bound for Nakuru. However, her national ID shows she hails from Ainamoi in Nandi County.” Chief Maraga said.

The student’s mobile phone remains missing and is believed to hold crucial information that could aid the investigation.

Preliminary investigations suggest she may have been killed on Sunday.

Cases of insecurity within and around tertiary institutions have been on the rise.

In May this year, another first year MKU student aged 19 years was found brutally murdered in cold blood in Thika in her rented room at Pilot Estate within Hospital Ward in Thika.

Faith Musembi who hailed from Machakos was brutally murdered in cold blood by unknown individuals who had demanded a Sh20,000 ransom.

Her lifeless body was discovered by her father.

In January 2019, another MKU student attached to MKU Thika Main Campus identified as Elias Nduku was found dead in his hostel room at the main campus in Thika on Sunday morning.

Students and workers at the college say Elias Nduku returned to his room after a rugby practice session on Saturday evening. The body was found by a janitor the following day around 7.30am and was later taken to General Kago Funeral Home in Thika.