Suspect in Joy Gathu murder arrested while allegedly fleeing to Uganda
Kanini, a shoe seller and Nyeri National Polytechnic alumna, was found dead in June 2026 after her remains were discovered in Ngangarithi Estate, Nyeri.
John Nderitu Mureithi, the main suspect in the murder of 25-year-old Joy Kanini Gathu, who was arrested along the Nanyuki–Isiolo Road on July 10, 2026, while allegedly attempting to flee to Uganda. (Photo: DCI/X)
Detectives have arrested the main suspect in the murder of 25-year-old Joy Kanini Gathu, after he was intercepted along the Nanyuki–Isiolo Road while allegedly trying to flee to Uganda.
Kanini, a shoe seller and Nyeri National Polytechnic alumna, was found dead on June 11, 2026, after her remains were discovered in Ngangarithi Estate, Nyeri County.
The suspect, John Nderitu Mureithi, was arrested on the night of July 10, 2026, in Timau, Meru County, following an intelligence-led operation by detectives from the DCI Homicide Investigations Bureau.
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According to the officers, a search conducted immediately after his arrest led to the recovery of four mobile phones, including the handset belonging to the deceased, which detectives have secured as a key exhibit in the ongoing investigation.
The suspect was later booked at Kiganjo Police Station.
DCI said investigations established that on June 9, 2026, a confrontation between the suspect and Kanini inside his house in Ngangarithi Estate, Nyeri, turned fatal.
Detectives noted that the suspect later dismembered the body and disposed of the remains at different locations in an attempt to hide the crime and delay investigations.
Kanini’s remains were discovered on June 11, 2026, with several body parts initially missing. An autopsy later established that her cause of death was excessive bleeding.
Joy, who was the daughter of Reverend Peter Gathu and Pastor Faith, was an alumna of Nyeri National Polytechnic and worked as a shoe seller.
The DCI said the suspect is expected to be presented before court on Monday, July 13, 2026, as detectives seek custodial orders to allow them to complete 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 officers noted.
The DCI had launched a manhunt for the suspect, who was identified as Kanini’s estranged boyfriend and the main suspect in the case.