Investigation Underway as Community Seeks Answers

NAKURU, KENYA – Detectives in Nakuru County are investigating a disturbing series of murders after three elderly residents of the Salgaa area were killed in their homes in separate attacks within a two-week period. The killings, characterized by their brutality, have stoked widespread fear among residents, who now suspect a serial killer may be targeting the community's most vulnerable.

The latest victim, 65-year-old Margaret Wambui, a member of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) Women's Guild, was found dead in her house on Friday, November 14, 2025. According to a report by the Daily Nation on Monday, November 17, her daughter, Rahab Wanjiru, was unable to reach her by phone and was later given the devastating news by an aunt accompanied by a Nyumba Kumi official. Investigators reported that Wambui had sustained visible injuries to her head, and a blood-stained log believed to be the murder weapon was recovered from the scene. While the primary motive remains unclear, police confirmed the assailant(s) ransacked the house, stealing a gas cylinder, a mobile phone, and gumboots.

A Pattern of Violence

Wambui’s murder followed the shocking discovery of the bodies of an elderly couple just two weeks prior. On Sunday, November 2, 2025, Joseph Ndegwa Kihiti, a 90-year-old local pastor, and his wife, Rose Wanjiku, 63, were found murdered inside their home at Rigogo Farm in Muthiga Village. Neighbours and fellow church members discovered the gruesome scene after the couple, who rarely missed a service, failed to attend church.

According to Rongai Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer Donata Atieno, the couple’s bodies bore multiple injuries, indicating a violent attack. A post-mortem examination conducted the following week confirmed that both Kihiti and Wanjiku died from severe head injuries inflicted with a blunt object. In this case, nothing was reported stolen from the home, deepening the mystery surrounding the motive.

Police Response and Community Fear

The Rongai Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has launched an intensive investigation into the three murders. Speaking to the media, DCIO Atieno confirmed that detectives are actively pursuing several leads and are investigating whether the killings are connected. “We are piecing together information to help track down and arrest suspects... It could even be a serial killer on the loose. Soon we will zero in on the culprits and make arrests,” Atieno stated on November 17.

Despite these assurances, a palpable sense of fear has enveloped the Salgaa community. Residents have expressed frustration over what they perceive as a lack of adequate security, even after the initial double homicide. “Whoever is behind these killings seems to have a pattern, attacking old people who live alone or in isolated homes. We are scared, especially our parents who stay by themselves. No one feels safe anymore,” Peter Chege, a local boda boda rider, told the Daily Nation. The community is demanding increased police patrols and swift justice to prevent further tragedies.

Vulnerability of the Elderly in Kenya

These killings highlight the broader issue of the vulnerability of the elderly in Kenya, who often face risks of violence, neglect, and exploitation. Research indicates that elderly persons, particularly those in rural and isolated areas, are susceptible to various forms of crime, including property theft, assault, and murder. Socio-economic factors, such as living alone and reduced physical ability to defend themselves, can increase their risk of victimization. As the investigation in Salgaa continues, the case serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for enhanced community and state protection for Kenya’s senior citizens.