Detectives have made major progress in the murder of 60-year-old Millicent Wahura Mwangi, whose dismembered upper body was found in mid-November. According to a statement by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations DCI, her own son has been arrested as the main suspect.
The DCI has given a detailed account from then the deceased went missing until her dimembered body was found.
The case began on November 11, 2025, when Millicent was reported missing at Olkalou Police Station after disappearing from her home in Mwireri village, Nyandarua Central Sub-County. At first, it was treated as a missing person case, but suspicions of foul play soon arose.
Three days later, on November 14, passers-by in Rumathi village, about 37 km from Olkalou along the Malewa–Kipipiri road, discovered a female body part stuffed in a sack and dumped by the roadside. It was wearing a white blouse with blue and black stripes. Police from Kipipiri Police Station secured the scene and searched for the remaining body parts, but none were found. The body part was taken to JM Kariuki Memorial Funeral Home for preservation, identification, and autopsy.
On November 15, the family was informed and positively identified the remains as their missing mother, confirming it was a homicide.
The DCI Homicide Unit, working with Nyandarua Central Sub-County detectives, launched an intensive manhunt. Using forensic intelligence, investigators tracked and arrested Benson Maina Mwangi, the victim’s second-born son, on November 20 at his hideout in Kamulu.
He was arraigned at Olkalou Senior Principal Magistrate’s Court on November 24, where detectives obtained 21-day custody to continue investigations. He remains in custody, with the next court mention set for January 19, 2026.
On December 23, homicide detectives and forensic experts carried out a crime scene re-enactment led by the suspect. The team went to River Malewa, where an underwater search recovered key evidence, including a machete believed to be the murder weapon, a bedsheet, a blanket, and other items allegedly discarded by the suspect after the killing.
Investigations are ongoing as authorities work to piece together the victim’s final moments and build a strong case to ensure justice is served.
