NAIROBI, KENYA – Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are actively investigating the mysterious deaths of three family members whose decomposing bodies were discovered in their Saika Estate residence in Nairobi. The deceased have been identified as Justus Wambua Kavyu, 62, his wife Tabitha Kathini Wambua, and their daughter, Stacey Kiluti Wambua, 25.

The grim discovery was made on Saturday, November 15, 2025, after concerned relatives, unable to reach the family, asked a contact to check on their home. Neighbours also reported a foul odour emanating from the residence, which prompted the eventual entry by authorities.

Upon gaining access to the house, police found Mr. Wambua’s body in the bathroom. The bodies of his wife, Tabitha, and daughter, Stacey, were found in other rooms, with some reports indicating they had visible injuries. The advanced state of decomposition suggested the family had been deceased for several days before being found.

Two Theories Under Investigation

Detectives from Njiru Sub-County are pursuing two primary, yet conflicting, lines of inquiry into the tragedy. One theory suggests that Mr. Wambua may have killed his wife and daughter before taking his own life. This hypothesis is supported by some police sources who reported the recovery of a suicide note at the scene. However, the authenticity and contents of the note are still undergoing forensic analysis, and police have not confirmed it as definitive evidence.

A second theory being investigated posits that Mr. Wambua, who had reportedly been living in his rural home in Kitui, returned to the Saika residence to find his wife and daughter already deceased. Overwhelmed by the discovery, he may have then taken his own life. Authorities have emphasized that both scenarios are currently under active investigation and have urged the public to await official findings. The exact cause and manner of death for all three individuals remain unconfirmed pending the results of a post-mortem examination at the City Mortuary. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED.

A Family Marked by Previous Tragedy

The Wambua family, who hail from Nzaatani Village in Mwingi West, Kitui County, had been struck by tragedy before. Reports indicate that the couple lost another child to cancer approximately two years ago. Following that loss, Mr. Wambua is said to have relocated to his village to focus on farming, while his wife and daughter remained in Nairobi. Friends and relatives described the family as quiet, respected, and close-knit, deepening the shock and confusion in both their home community in Kitui and among their neighbours in Saika.

The incident has sent waves of grief through their extended family, including Mr. Wambua's brother, Bernard Kavyu, a prominent Kenyan diaspora leader. Gospel singer Maureen Tabitha, a relative of the family, also publicly expressed her heartbreak over the loss of her uncle, aunt, and cousin.

Community in Mourning

As the investigation continues, the family and community are preparing for the final rites. A funeral service and burial are scheduled to take place at their ancestral home in Nzaatani Village, Kitui County, on Saturday, November 22, 2025. The cortege is expected to leave the Kenyatta University (KU) Funeral Home on the morning of the burial. The lingering questions surrounding the family's final moments have left a profound sense of sorrow as loved ones await answers from the ongoing police probe.