The National Police Service (NPS) has established a special unit within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), comprising criminal intelligence analysts, forensic experts, and other professionals to deal with femicide cases in the country.
In a statement dated March 11, 2025, NPS explained that the special unit was formed after witnessing a worrying trend of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases, including femicide cases underlying violations of the rights of women in particular.
“As a result of this bold response, a unit domiciled within the DCI has been established and comprises criminal intelligence analysts, forensic experts, and other professionals, the unit successfully investigated the reported cases. The majority of these cases are now pending before the courts, while others are at various stages of investigation,” read part of the police report.
In the recent past, there have been a number of notable cases successfully investigated which include, the murder of Marybell Amankor Kapolong, which occurred in Imenti North, Meru County, on 16th September 2018.
After a thorough investigation, Benson Kimathi Marangu was found guilty of this tragic crime and sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Another significant case is that of Monica Nyawira Kimani, whose murder shocked the nation when it occurred in Kilimani, Nairobi, on 19 September 2018.
The accused, Joseph Irungu alias “Jowie”, was apprehended and later convicted, receiving a life sentence for this horrific crime.
“We also reflect on the case of Sheilah Adhiambo Lumumba, who was tragically murdered in Karatina, Nyeri County, on 14th April 2022. The investigation resulted in a successful conviction, and the accused, Billington Mwathi, was sentenced to 30 years in prison,” police reported.
On 5th November 2024, detectives successfully apprehended Hashim Dagane Muhumed after an extensive investigation into the tragic murders of a mother, her daughter, and her 12-year-old niece.
He was linked to the murder of Deka Abdinoor Gorone, who had been reported missing at California Police Station on 24 October 2024. The case is ongoing.
Another success was the arrest of George Mwenda Mutegi, the prime suspect in the monstrous murder of Ms Lilian Achieng Aluko. He was arrested on Friday November 8, 2024, after days of a manhunt. Mutegi was tracked down to his hideaway in the Kaanwa area of Tharaka Nithi County.
Meanwhile, the National Police Service established a Directorate of Gender and incorporated Gender Desks and Child Protection Units in police stations.
The police service has also ensured a continuous training and capacity building of police officers on referral pathways.
Additionally, the establishment and the progressive rollout of ‘POLICARE, a one-stop centre, provides comprehensive support services, including legal, psychosocial, police, and health support, to survivors of gender-based violence at no cost.
Furthermore, NPS is working in collaboration with various agencies, including the State Department for Gender and the Presidential Working Group Femicide, to strengthen prevention mechanisms against these heinous acts.
