The Prime Suspect in the brutal murder of 25-year-old Joy Kanini Gathu has been arrested by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
In a statement, the DCI said the suspect, John Nderitu Mureithi, was arrested on the night of July 10 along the Nanyuki–Isiolo Road while allegedly attempting to flee to Uganda.
“The suspect, John Nderitu Mureithi, was arrested on the night of July 10, 2026, along the Nanyuki–Isiolo Road while allegedly attempting to flee to Uganda,” DCI said.
Following his arrest, detectives searched him and recovered four mobile phones, including one believed to belong to the deceased.
The investigators have secured the handset as a key exhibit in the murder investigation. The suspect was later booked at Kiganjo Police Station.
The DCI also said investigations established that a confrontation between the suspect and Joy inside his house in Ngangarithi Estate, Nyeri, on June 9, 2026, turned fatal.
“During interrogation, detectives established that on June 9, 2026, a confrontation between the suspect and the deceased inside his house in Ngangarithi Estate, Nyeri, turned fatal,” DCI said.
Detectives further established that after the killing, the suspect allegedly dismembered the victim’s body and disposed of the remains at different locations in what investigators described as a calculated attempt to conceal the crime and frustrate investigations.
Mureithi is expected to be arraigned in court on Monday, July 13, where detectives will seek custodial orders to allow them to complete investigations before any formal charges are preferred.
The arrest marks a significant breakthrough in a case that shocked the country because of its gruesome nature.
Joy’s dismembered remains were discovered on June 11, 2026, stuffed inside a sack in Nyeri County.
DCI conveyed its condolences to the family and friends of Joy and reaffirmed its commitment to conducting thorough, fair and impartial investigations.
“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations extends its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Joy Kanini Gathu and remains steadfast in its commitment to conducting thorough, fair and impartial investigations to ensure justice is served,” the agency added.
