Rita Muendo's killer demanded Sh500,000 ransom

By Peter Ochieng

The family of Rita Waeni Muendo has broken silence, days after her gruesome murder at an Airbnb residence in Roysambu, Nairobi.

The 20-year-old's dismembered body was discovered on Sunday, with the family revealing details leading to her killing.

The Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) student reportedly left her aunt's place in Syokimau to meet a friend. She did not come back.

Her father then recieved a message through her phone number, demanding a ransom of Sh500,000.

“With this message, the family reported the matter to the police and DCI (Directorate of Criminal Investigations) and investigations began,” the family statement reads in part.

Two more messages followed, but the family was not in a position to raise the cash.

“Unfortunately, the family did not get further details about the ransom or an opportunity to explore this route. Additionally, some demands were made when she had already been murdered,” the family said.

“We believe she was lured by her killer, who also tried to extort money from her family, even after killing her." She was due to join fourth year at JKUAT.

The family describes her as an "intelligent, smart girl beyond her age at the very start of her youth who was known for her kindness, laughter, and ability to light up any room she entered.”

Her body was discovered minus the head, and personal belongings such as clothes and mobile phone.

Police on Tuesday arrested a male foreign national at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), on suspicion of being involved in the murder.

He was travelling using a Mozambican passport.

However, police are yet to establish whether the suspect is the man captured on CCTV picking keys to the rental apartment, where Rita's body parts were discovered.