NAIROBI, Kenya — A 32-year-old woman was found dead inside her apartment in Lavington, Nairobi, nearly a month after she was last seen by residents, after an unusual smell from the building raised concerns.
Mercy Maina Wachinga was discovered on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Forhome Apartments after the building’s management alerted police over the smell and her prolonged absence.
Apartment manager Musa Kombo said residents first reported the smell on Wednesday, August 12.
Kombo said he went to the apartment and asked residents to open their doors as management tried to establish where the smell was coming from. Mercy, however, did not respond when her door was knocked or when attempts were made to reach her by phone.
As concerns grew, Kombo said he informed the apartment owner before the matter was reported to officers at Muthangari Police Station on September 3.
Police officers later went to the apartment, forced the door open and discovered Mercy’s body inside.
Kombo said the condition of the body indicated that she had been dead for some time.
Police removed the body as investigations began into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Foul smell raises alarm
Mercy was last seen by residents in early August, when she was reportedly going about her usual activities at the apartment complex.
Pamela Awino, a cleaner at Forhome Apartments, said she first noticed the unusual smell while cleaning the building.
“Ilikuwa mwezi wa nane nikipanguza hizo corridor kutoka rooftop kufika ten floor nikasikia harufu. Then hiyo harufu haikuwa poa,” Awino said.
Kombo said management became increasingly concerned after establishing that the smell appeared to be coming from Mercy’s apartment and that she was not responding to calls or knocks at her door.
“Nilikaa hapa then mwenye nyumba nikamwambia sasa kuna mwenye aliniambia kuna harufu amesikia. So we have to take a step because anadoubt doubt harufu inatoka kwa hiyo nyumba,” he said.
The circumstances surrounding Mercy’s death remain under investigation.
Family struggles to come to terms with death
Mercy’s family was left shocked by her death, with her mother, Grace Nderitu, describing her daughter as cheerful, polite and loving.
“Alikuwa anajua mtoto mpole, mcheshi, roho safi. Na alikuwa anapenda mama yake na sibling wake wote,” Nderitu said.
Nderitu said she had spoken to Mercy at the beginning of August but did not notice anything that suggested her daughter was experiencing serious difficulties.
The family has since been confronted with reports that Mercy may have died by suicide and that she left behind a note.
According to the account shared by those familiar with the matter, the note contained messages urging people to show one another greater love and avoid judging others. It also included personal wishes concerning her family and belongings.
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However, the circumstances and cause of death had not been independently established at the time of publication, and the contents of any alleged note should be treated as part of the ongoing investigation rather than definitive evidence of what happened.
Mercy’s death has also deeply affected residents who knew her.
Neighbours remembered her as friendly and said she often interacted warmly with children in the area.
She had also left her cat, Woods, in the care of people in the neighbourhood.
Police investigations are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding Mercy’s death, while her family awaits further answers.
