The arrest follows months of intense investigations after the young woman was found dead in Thika Town in October 2024.
In a statement released on Saturday evening, December 13, the DCI confirmed that Ken Kimathi Gichunuku, also known as “Sultan,” was finally taken into custody after going into hiding for more than a year.
In a statement released on Saturday evening, December 13, the DCI confirmed that Ken Kimathi Gichunuku, also known as “Sultan,” was finally taken into custody after going into hiding for more than a year.
According to investigators, the suspect disappeared shortly after Nyakio’s body was discovered, triggering a nationwide manhunt.
The DCI said the arrest was the result of sustained intelligence gathering, forensic analysis, and close coordination between multiple investigative teams.
The DCI said the arrest was the result of sustained intelligence gathering, forensic analysis, and close coordination between multiple investigative teams.
Officers from the homicide unit worked alongside detectives from Kisii South and Busia counties to trace the suspect’s movements across the country.
Investigators revealed that forensic leads pointed them toward western Kenya, where Gichunuku had been quietly living under the radar.
Investigators revealed that forensic leads pointed them toward western Kenya, where Gichunuku had been quietly living under the radar.
Detectives eventually tracked him to Busia town, near the Kenya–Uganda border, a location believed to have been chosen deliberately due to its busy cross-border activity.
According to the DCI, the suspect had secured work at a cereal distribution shop in Busia, blending in with local workers and avoiding suspicion.
According to the DCI, the suspect had secured work at a cereal distribution shop in Busia, blending in with local workers and avoiding suspicion.
Authorities said he was “hiding in plain sight” while continuing with his daily routine as investigations closed in on him.
“Following the heinous act, the suspect went underground in a bid to evade arrest. However, relentless investigations and forensic leads finally closed in on him,” the DCI stated. Detectives moved in and arrested Gichunuku without incident.
The suspect is currently being held in police custody as officers complete processing ahead of his arraignment in court.
“Following the heinous act, the suspect went underground in a bid to evade arrest. However, relentless investigations and forensic leads finally closed in on him,” the DCI stated. Detectives moved in and arrested Gichunuku without incident.
The suspect is currently being held in police custody as officers complete processing ahead of his arraignment in court.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the exact charges he will face but confirmed that the case will be presented before a court of law once investigations are finalized.
Seth Nyakio’s death shocked the country and sparked public outrage, especially due to the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and murder.
Seth Nyakio’s death shocked the country and sparked public outrage, especially due to the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and murder.
Nyakio went missing on October 12, 2024, after leaving her home in Kamakis, Kiambu County, reportedly to visit a friend in Thika Town.
Two days later, on October 14, her lifeless body was discovered inside a rented house in Biafra Estate, Thika.
Two days later, on October 14, her lifeless body was discovered inside a rented house in Biafra Estate, Thika.
The discovery triggered grief and anger among family members, friends, and the wider public, with calls for swift justice.
Nyakio’s mother, MCA Lucy Njeri, later revealed that her daughter’s body had visible injuries around the neck, raising strong suspicion of strangulation.
Nyakio’s mother, MCA Lucy Njeri, later revealed that her daughter’s body had visible injuries around the neck, raising strong suspicion of strangulation.
Speaking to the media at the time, she described the pain of seeing her daughter’s body and questioned how such a crime could have happened.
“I saw visible injuries on the neck. My daughter lay peacefully, and you could even think we were talking to each other. That image will never leave me,” Njeri said in an emotional interview shortly after the incident.
In November 2024, the DCI officially named Gichunuku as the prime suspect in the murder and issued a public alert.
“I saw visible injuries on the neck. My daughter lay peacefully, and you could even think we were talking to each other. That image will never leave me,” Njeri said in an emotional interview shortly after the incident.
In November 2024, the DCI officially named Gichunuku as the prime suspect in the murder and issued a public alert.
The agency described him as dangerous, citing a previous criminal record involving threats to kill in a court case dated September 25, 2024.
At the time, the DCI appealed to members of the public to help locate the suspect, urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to report to the nearest police station or contact the DCI hotline anonymously.
The arrest has been welcomed by many Kenyans who had closely followed the case and demanded accountability.
At the time, the DCI appealed to members of the public to help locate the suspect, urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to report to the nearest police station or contact the DCI hotline anonymously.
The arrest has been welcomed by many Kenyans who had closely followed the case and demanded accountability.
DCI has assured the public that investigations are ongoing and that no stone will be left unturned to ensure justice is served.
The agency reiterated its commitment to pursuing suspects, no matter how long it takes or where they hide.