Police Recover Head of Slain Student Rita Waeni

Police discovered a human head believed to be that of Rita Waeni Muendo, the university student who was murdered on January 13 in Roysambu.

The head was found in a dam in Kiambaa, Kiambu County. The rest of her remains were wrapped in a plastic bag and sheet and placed by a dustbin.

The discovery provided a clue about the potential whereabouts of the killer after the murder. The police, who also recovered some of the victim’s belongings, including her mobile phone, are conducting further analysis on the head for preservation.

The motive behind the murder is still unknown, and detectives are pursuing crucial leads to apprehend the killer. However, they suspect the murderer may be a professional, as indicated by the meticulous removal of the victim’s fingernails.

A postmortem revealed missing fingernails, prompting speculation that the killer might have attempted to hide DNA evidence. The autopsy confirmed that the body was dismembered, with the head and legs severed from the trunk. The unusual method of dismemberment, involving both cutting and sawing, puzzled the pathologist.

Toxicology analysis is being conducted on samples from the kidney, stomach, vagina, and blood to determine if the victim was drugged before the murder. The killer, believed to be a Kenyan, communicated in Swahili and used a fake phone line to lure the victim.

The family received ransom demands of Sh500,000, with the killer sending a picture as a threat. The family reported the matter to the police, but unfortunately, the demands were made after the victim had already been murdered.

The investigation is now focusing on understanding the motive behind the killing, including the recent connection between the victim and the killer on social media, particularly Instagram.