Fresh details have emerged in the shocking murder case of gospel musician Rachel Wandeto after detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations identified a taxi driver believed to be the last person in contact with her before the fatal attack.
According to investigators, taxi driver Josiah Njeru Njiru is now the prime suspect in the ongoing investigations surrounding Wandeto’s death.
Detectives revealed that Njiru allegedly contacted the gospel singer on the night of May 15, 2026, and is believed to have convinced her to leave her house shortly before the deadly incident occurred in Mwiki, Kasarani.
The DCI has since moved to the Makadara Law Courts seeking permission to detain the suspect for 21 days to allow detectives to complete investigations into the high-profile case.
In court documents filed before the court, investigators stated that Wandeto left her residence at around 9:00 pm after allegedly receiving communication from the suspect.
Chief Inspector Raphael Wanjohi, attached to the Homicide Investigations Bureau, told the court through an affidavit that the singer was later attacked and doused with a flammable substance, leaving her with extensive burn injuries.
She was rescued and rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital in critical condition, where doctors battled to save her life. However, she succumbed to her injuries on May 18, 2026, while undergoing treatment.
Investigators disclosed that Wandeto suffered burns covering more than 70 percent of her body.
The DCI further told the court that preliminary investigations placed the suspect near the victim’s residence on the night of the attack despite him not residing in the area.
During the suspect’s arrest, detectives reportedly recovered several items, including identity cards, clothes, documents, and a mobile phone believed to be crucial to the investigations.
Authorities said the recovered items will undergo forensic analysis as detectives continue piecing together the events leading to Wandeto’s death.
The investigating team also informed the court that they are still pursuing additional evidence, including CCTV footage, witness statements, DNA analysis, an identification parade, and a mental assessment of the suspect.
Detectives argued that the case has attracted widespread public attention and warned that releasing the suspect at this stage could interfere with investigations or expose him to danger from members of the public.
The DCI has requested that Njiru remain in custody at Kilimani Police Station or any other police facility pending the completion of investigations into the tragic incident that has continued to spark outrage across the country.