KIAMBU, Kenya — Detectives have launched a murder investigation after a 22-year-old woman was stabbed to death while waiting to board public transport at Nakuru Stage in Lari, Kiambu County, in an incident that has renewed concerns over violent crime targeting commuters in the early morning hours.
The victim, identified as Mukuhi Tabitha Waithira, died after sustaining a deep stab wound during an attack near the busy transport stage on Sunday morning.
Police say the young woman, who worked at Sanctuary Farm in Naivasha, had arrived at the stage to catch a matatu when she was attacked under circumstances that remain unclear.
Victim ran for help before collapsing
According to preliminary police findings, the incident occurred at about 5:00 a.m.
A witness told investigators that he was asleep in a rented house opposite Nakuru Stage when he was awakened by a man shouting, “Unaenda Nakuru?” Moments later, he heard a woman screaming for help.
The witness rushed outside and encountered the owner of a nearby hotel, who reported that a young woman had run toward the premises while bleeding heavily before collapsing near the entrance.
Police officers responding to the scene found Waithira lying in a pool of blood.
Investigators said she had sustained a deep stab wound to the upper part of her left leg, an injury that may have severed a major blood vessel and caused severe blood loss.
Despite her injuries, she reportedly managed to flee from her attacker and seek assistance before succumbing to her wounds.
Detectives search for motive
Crime scene investigators processed the area and collected evidence as part of an ongoing homicide investigation.
Police have not yet disclosed whether robbery, personal conflict, gender-based violence or another motive is being considered.
The body was transferred to Uphome Mortuary, where a post-mortem examination is expected to establish the precise cause of death and provide further forensic evidence.
Authorities are appealing for information from members of the public who may have witnessed the incident or seen suspicious activity around the stage during the early morning hours.
The killing adds to growing concerns about commuter safety in transport hubs, particularly during pre-dawn and late-night hours when passenger traffic is lower and security visibility can be limited.
Missing man found dead in river
In a separate incident, police in Tharaka Nithi County are investigating the death of a 50-year-old man whose body was recovered from a river after he had been missing for about a week.
The deceased, identified as David Kirimi Kanga, was found floating in Naka River at Kibumbu Village in Chuka North Sub-County on Sunday.
The discovery was reported by a relative who alerted authorities after spotting the body.
Officers who responded to the scene found the body in an advanced state of decomposition, suggesting it had been in the water for several days.
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The remains were transferred to Chuka General Hospital Mortuary, where a post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the cause of death and establish whether foul play was involved.
Police have opened investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death.
Rising concern over violent crime
The two incidents come amid continuing efforts by law enforcement agencies to address violent crime and unexplained deaths across the country.
According to police records, homicide investigations remain among the most resource-intensive criminal inquiries, often requiring forensic analysis, witness testimony and intelligence gathering to establish motive and identify suspects.
Investigators in both Kiambu and Tharaka Nithi counties say inquiries are ongoing.
