Police in Kenya have apprehended a man accused of carrying mutilated body parts in his backpack, which he claimed belonged to his 19-year-old wife.
The suspect, 29-year-old John Kiama Wambua, was stopped by officers patrolling the Huruma district, east of Nairobi, just before dawn.
Upon inspecting his backpack, officers made a shocking discovery of the body parts, as reported by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). During interrogation, Wambua allegedly confessed that the remains were those of his wife, Joy Fridah Munani, and appeared “unperturbed” by the discovery.
Following his arrest, Wambua led police to his residence, where additional body parts were found concealed under a bed, along with a knife and blood-stained clothing. The DCI condemned the act as “heinous” and indicated that Wambua would face murder charges in an upcoming court hearing.
This tragic incident highlights the disturbing trend of femicides in Kenya, a nation grappling with one of the highest rates of gender-based violence in Africa. Between August and October 2024, the National Police Service reported at least 97 murders of women.
Public outcry against femicide has intensified, with protests erupting in recent years. In December, hundreds of women marched in Nairobi to voice their outrage over escalating violence against women, only to face police repression with tear gas.
Kenya has seen numerous high-profile cases involving violence against women. In September 2024, Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei was tragically killed by her former partner after being doused with petrol and set on fire. Earlier in the year, the dismembered body of a young woman named Rita Waeni was discovered stuffed in a plastic bag, igniting widespread indignation.
