Seven university students have been released after spending seven days in police custody, following the emergence of CCTV footage indicating that their colleague, Lorna Kathambi Karani, died while attempting to jump from one balcony to another.
During the mention at the Milimani Law Courts, the prosecutor informed the court that the deceased fell while trying to jump alongside the students on the night of the incident. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), through the prosecuting counsel, stated that investigations had been concluded and that the matter would now proceed by way of a public inquest. The seven students will be treated as witnesses in that inquiry.
Dennis Kariuki Gitonga, Louis Osiro, Lucy Mora, Ali Kabwana Kamaku, Precious Kendi Mutembei, Austin Ochieng, and Wendy Kerubo had been detained over the death of 23-year-old Daystar University student Karani, who died during a party.
Karani’s body was found on the ground floor of Harmony Plaza Apartments in Ngara on November 23, 2025. According to an affidavit by DCI Corporal Johnes Nyangige, the deceased had been in the company of the students throughout the night. The group was allegedly intoxicated when they arrived at the building, where they were heard singing and playing a guitar on the 12th floor.
A loud bang was heard shortly after four of the students briefly left and returned to the building. A security guard later discovered Karani’s body with severe head injuries. Investigators also recovered items believed to belong to her inside Gitonga’s apartment.
While police had requested 10 more days to retrieve additional CCTV footage, analyze call data, record further statements, and await an autopsy, Magistrate Dolphina Alego turned the session into a moment of reflection. She asked the students how they feel 7 days without alcohol.
Some students admitted alcohol had no benefit, while others denied consuming it. Magistrate Alego then invited their parents to speak, resulting in emotional statements of disappointment, fear, and grief—particularly in reference to the deceased’s family.
The magistrate urged the students to reflect on their actions and apologize to their parents for the distress caused. After reviewing the case privately, the court closed the file and ordered the release of the seven from custody.
