NAIROBI, Kenya — The death of a 22-year-old university student and influencer in Nairobi is under investigation after she fell from the sixth floor of a short-stay apartment in the upscale Kileleshwa area.
The victim, identified as Consolata Githinji, popularly known as “Connie,” died on Sunday morning following the incident, which police say occurred during her first meeting with a man she had connected with through a dating site.
Authorities confirmed that the 33-year-old man, who works for a company dealing in women’s hair products, is currently in custody and cooperating with investigators.
According to police reports, the incident occurred in the early hours of April 26, 2026. Consolata had travelled from Murang’a to Nairobi specifically for the meeting.
Security footage reviewed by investigators shows the pair arriving at the apartment at approximately 4:17 a.m. Shortly after, at around 4:32 a.m., a disturbance was reported inside the unit.
The door to the room was seen opening abruptly, prompting a security guard to briefly enter before leaving. Consolata was last seen alive moments after the guard exited.
Her body was later discovered at about 5:30 a.m. on the ground level, after she fell from the sixth floor of Block C to the third basement level.
Police said she sustained fatal injuries, including trauma to the head, ribs and hands.
The man told investigators that the woman jumped from the room. However, detectives are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry, including the possibility of a confrontation before the fall.
“There are suspicions the two may have fought in the room before the woman fell,” a police source familiar with the case said.
The apartment had reportedly been booked by a friend of the man. Earlier occupants, two women and one man, had checked out shortly before 4:00 a.m., adding another layer to the unfolding investigation.
Crime scene experts processed the site before the body was moved to the City Mortuary in Nairobi, where a post-mortem examination is expected to provide further clarity.
The suspect has already been presented in court, where police requested additional time to detain him as investigations continue.
Consolata’s death has once again drawn attention to safety concerns surrounding short-term rental apartments in Nairobi, particularly those arranged through informal or digital platforms.
In recent years, authorities have reported a rise in incidents involving violence, unexplained deaths and criminal activity linked to such accommodations. The anonymity and limited oversight in some bookings have been cited as key vulnerabilities.
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Digital safety experts have also warned of increasing risks associated with first-time meetings arranged through online dating platforms, especially where identity verification and background checks are minimal.
Consolata, a student at Murang’a University College, was also building a growing online presence as an influencer.
Her death has triggered an outpouring of grief on social media, with family and friends calling for a thorough and transparent investigation.
Police say the case remains active, with forensic analysis, witness statements and digital evidence expected to play a critical role in determining what happened in the final moments before her death.
