A Town on Edge

Naivasha, a town known for its vibrant horticulture industry and as a key tourism hub in Nakuru County, is confronting a severe public safety crisis following a surge in mysterious murders in 2025. According to reports on Monday, October 27, 2025 (EAT), more than 12 people have been killed under opaque circumstances in the past nine months, a significant increase from the two cases recorded during the same period in 2024. This wave of violence has left residents in fear and security agencies scrambling for answers, tarnishing the town's reputation as a premier destination in the Rift Valley.

Recent Cases Stoke Fear

The most recent incidents, occurring in the last week of October, have heightened anxieties. According to Naivasha Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss Isaac Kiama, investigations have been launched into the deaths of three middle-aged men. Two of the men's bodies were discovered dumped by roadsides in the Mirera and Mithuri estates, while a third man, in his mid-40s, was found dead in his house in Kabati estate. Mr. Kiama confirmed that inquest files have been opened and statements are being recorded from relatives pending post-mortem results to determine the exact causes of death.

These deaths follow the brutal murder of Jane Wanjiru, a 31-year-old M-Pesa agent, whose body was found dumped near Delamere Farm on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway earlier in October. An autopsy conducted at the Naivasha Sub-County Hospital mortuary revealed she had been raped and strangled. DCI Kiama assured the public that detectives are pursuing crucial leads, including analyzing her mobile phone records to trace her last movements. Wanjiru was married to a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officer based in Gilgil.

Adding to the grim tally, the body of a 20-year-old French tourist, Dominique Marie Josephe, was found in her room at the Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge on October 24, 2025. She had arrived in Kenya on October 21 and was scheduled to travel to Amboseli National Park. Police have moved her body to the mortuary to await an autopsy as investigations into the cause of death continue.

A Disturbing Pattern of Femicide

Community leaders are increasingly alarmed by what they describe as a rising tide of femicide. John Kinuthia, chairperson of the Naivasha Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cluster group, stated on October 27 that at least five women have been killed under mysterious circumstances in the last six months, with most victims in their mid-30s. He highlighted the case of Jane Wanjiru as one of several femicide incidents that have shaken the community. This trend in Naivasha aligns with national concerns over gender-based violence. A May 2025 report from the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) identified Nakuru County as one of the regions most affected by a rising number of femicide cases in Kenya.

Another prominent 2025 case was the murder of Jane Wambui Njoroge, a clinical officer at the Naivasha Sub-County Hospital. Her body was discovered in June, buried in a shallow grave at her home in the Raini trading centre. An autopsy showed she had been killed by a blow from a blunt object. Two suspects, including her house help, were arrested in connection with the murder.

Broader Security and Social Concerns

The murders are occurring against a backdrop of wider security issues. Informal settlements such as Karagita, Kihoto, Mirera, Kayole, and Kongoni have been identified as hotspots for crime. These areas, characterized by high unemployment and poor living conditions, often record high incidences of assault, robbery, and drug abuse, which can escalate to more violent crimes.

Further complicating the security landscape is the issue of unidentified bodies at the local mortuary. In a notice issued in late March 2025, the Naivasha Sub-County Hospital announced plans to dispose of 27 unclaimed bodies, 18 of which were unidentified males brought in by police between June and October 2024. This period coincided with widespread anti-government protests. Human rights activists, including David Kuria of the Nakuru Human Rights Network, have demanded that the planned mass burial be halted until DNA tests can be conducted to determine if any of the deceased are individuals who went missing during the protests.

As DCI detectives continue their work, the residents of Naivasha are left waiting for answers and justice. The series of brutal and unsolved killings has created a climate of fear, challenging the town's sense of security and prompting urgent calls for enhanced policing and a thorough, transparent investigation into the root causes of this deadly crime wave.