Detectives have successfully apprehended Ken Kimanthi Gichunuku, known by his alias “Sultan,” ending a rigorous months-long manhunt connected to a high-profile homicide in Thika. The suspect was taken into custody near the Kenya-Uganda border following a coordinated operation involving detectives from the homicide unit, Kisii South, and Busia. This breakthrough marks a significant turning point in the quest for justice.
The arrest follows the tragic discovery of Seth Nyakio Njeri’s lifeless body on October 14, 2024. Authorities found the victim inside the Blessings Building located in the Biafra Estate of Thika town. The grim find immediately triggered an intensive investigation, with law enforcement agencies vowing to track down the perpetrator responsible for the “brutal murder” of the young university graduate.
Following the incident, Gichunuku reportedly went “underground” in a calculated attempt to escape legal consequences. He managed to evade the police radar for several months, moving away from the central region to the far western border of the country. His disappearance necessitated a widening of the search grid by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, who prioritized the case due to its severity.
“Relentless investigations” eventually paid off as detectives narrowed down his location to Busia town. In a surprising twist, investigators found Gichunuku “hiding in plain sight.” He had established a cover for himself, working daily at a cereal distribution shop, seemingly blending in with the local community to avoid raising suspicion among residents or local authorities.
The breakthrough was attributed to a combination of intelligence gathering and “forensic leads” that guided the homicide unit to his hideout. The operation required seamless collaboration between the central homicide detectives and their counterparts in Kisii South and Busia, demonstrating the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation in tracking fugitives across county lines before they can flee the country.
Seth Nyakio Njeri, the 23-year-old victim, was the daughter of a Kirinyaga County politician and had been the subject of a missing person report before her body was discovered. The “heinous act” shocked the Thika community and led to significant public outcry, piling pressure on the police to resolve the case swiftly and apprehend the prime suspect.
The discovery of the body in the Blessings Building painted a grim picture, with initial reports suggesting the victim had been strangled. These details fueled the urgency of the manhunt, as detectives worked to piece together the timeline of events leading up to her death. Gichunuku had been identified as the prime suspect early in the probe, often referred to as a “person of interest.”
Known by the alias “Sultan,” the suspect is now facing serious charges related to the capital offense. His ability to travel across the country and secure employment while on the run suggests a high degree of adaptability. However, the exhaustive efforts of the tracking teams ensured that he was intercepted before he could potentially cross into Uganda to further evade justice.
Following his capture, Gichunuku was placed in lawful custody and is currently “undergoing processing.” The police have confirmed that he will be subjected to standard legal procedures before being presented in court. Investigators are likely compiling the final pieces of evidence to ensure a watertight case during the upcoming arraignment, which is expected to happen soon.
The arrest brings a sense of closure to the first chapter of this tragic saga. As the suspect awaits his day in court, the family of Seth Nyakio Njeri and the public look forward to the judicial process. The police have maintained that the suspect will remain detained pending his formal plea and subsequent legal proceedings.
