Monica Kimani: What investigators are thinking

 

 What is happening in Kenya with these strange and brutal murders? Just as Kenyans were still grappling with the horrific double homicide of Sharon Odierno—where even her unborn child was deliberately killed—we are now confronted with yet another gruesome incident. This time, it occurred in the Kilimani area, and it was even more brutal. Initial reports claimed that the victim's neck had been cut, but the reality is far more shocking: her head was completely severed. I'm talking about the tragic murder of Monica Kimani, who had just returned from South Sudan where she worked, and was preparing to travel to Dubai.

Typically, apartment security is quite strict. Visitors must sign in, leave their identification, and, in many cases, CCTV cameras are in place. This makes it difficult for a stranger or a hitman to simply walk in, commit murder, and disappear without a trace. However, in the case of Monica Kimani's residence, the Limu Garden Apartments, no mention of CCTV cameras has been made. On the day she was killed, Monica had three visitors. Two followed the procedure, signing in and leaving their identification, but one did not. This raises serious questions about security, and it’s likely that the security guards will face serious consequences for allowing an unregistered visitor without raising any alarm.

The third visitor’s failure to sign in is highly suspicious. For one, visitors are expected to write down their name, phone number, and even their car registration number if they don't have an ID. Adding to the oddity, this visitor was in a white vehicle, which is commonly seen as a way to remain anonymous—after all, white cars are so ubiquitous that they are hard to identify. This only adds to the mystery.

Incredibly, within hours of the murder, police arrested a suspect. They traced his phone to the scene at the time of the crime and had several witnesses who identified him as the unregistered visitor. The suspect’s name is Joseph Kariru. Let’s take a moment to delve into this individual’s background—I'll be right back with more on this.

It’s fascinating to see how police investigations are often underestimated. Many criminals assume the police are incapable of solving serious crimes, but there’s a vast difference between inability and reluctance. Serious crimes are typically handled by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), not your average police officers. They work behind the scenes, and their expertise is crucial in solving complex cases. Both the Monica Kimani case and the Sharon Odierno case have similar investigative elements. In both, police used cell phone location data to track down the suspects.

In both cases, the primary suspects ended up reporting to police stations, claiming to be victims themselves. Michael William Howe, in the case of Sharon Odierno, reported that he was nearly kidnapped, even though evidence contradicted his story. Similarly, Joseph Kariru reported that he had been shot at by unknown assailants, but investigators are skeptical of his bullet wound, suggesting it may not be from a gunshot. These cases show how criminals can be quick to report their own alleged victimization, often to divert attention.

Currently, the investigation into Monica Kimani's murder is taking an intriguing direction. Police are digging deeper into her background, especially her work in South Sudan. Investigators know that to solve a murder, they must explore every angle—even those that seem irrelevant at first. Monica was only 28 and had a thriving family business, so it’s clear she was doing well in life. She was described as a pillar of her family and had even recently bought her mother a car. This has led investigators to question what may have motivated such a violent crime.

Despite having a suspect in custody, the police are still trying to piece together the full picture, especially the motive. Without a clear motive, it’s difficult to build a strong case for prosecution. The investigation is ongoing, and police are working hard to uncover the truth.

Monica Kimani will be buried on Friday, September 28, 2018. My heartfelt condolences go out to her family and loved ones during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, and we all hope that justice will be served, and that whoever is responsible for this terrible crime will be brought to justice. Until next time, this i

s Chris Kobach.