Two middle-aged Nigerian men, William Ovie Opia and Johnbull Asbor, have been arrested in connection with the brutal murder of 20-year-old university student Rita Waeni. The heinous crime occurred at an Airbnb along TRM Drive, sending shockwaves through the community.
The breakthrough in the investigation came after Rita Waeni’s head was discovered near Kiambaa dam, leading detectives from the Criminal Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) to trace the suspects to an apartment in Ndenderu, Kiambu County. The suspects were apprehended on Sunday, not far from the area where the gruesome discovery was made.
Inside the suspects’ residence, detectives recovered chilling evidence, including a hatchet and a butcher’s knife believed to have been used in the crime. Additionally, they seized a national identity card belonging to a Kenyan (name withheld), six mobile phones, three laptops, 10 SIM cards from different telecom service providers, and other items.
One disturbing detail that emerged during the investigation is that the suspects were in the country illegally, adding complexity to the case. Detective Constable Benjamin Wangila of Kasarani DCI offices sought an order to hold the suspects for eight days at the Kasarani police station to allow for further investigations.
Senior Principal Magistrate Agnes Mwangi of Makadara Law Courts granted the request, ordering the suspects to be held until January 31. The arrest and subsequent findings have left the community in shock, as they grapple with the brutal nature of Rita Waeni’s murder.
As investigations continue, the authorities are committed to bringing justice for the victim and ensuring that the suspects face the full consequences of their alleged actions. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the need for vigilance and security, even in seemingly safe spaces like Airbnb accommodations.
