Police hunt suspect after woman found dead in rental house

Police in Nakuru have launched a manhunt for a suspect believed to be responsible for the murder of a middle-aged woman.

The body of the 36-year-old woman was discovered on her bed inside a rental house in Shalom Estate, Bahati several days after she was reported missing.

Nakuru North Sub-County Police Commander Lilies Wachira said concerned neighbours raised the alarm after a foul smell began emanating from the house.

"Police officers arrived at the scene but received no response from inside the house. They forced entry and discovered the decomposing body of the woman, which had visible injuries," said Wachira.

The Sub County Police Commander stated that the woman was last seen entering the house on January 1, 2025, accompanied by a man believed to be her husband.

"The couple were new at the rental houses and had not even spent a week since moving in. It appears she died several days ago," said Wachira.

She added that the alleged husband, who is a person of interest in the suspected murder, was on the run and was being pursued by detectives.

The suspect left his motorbike and a mobile phone inside the house.

"We are confident we shall catch up with him and uncover the circumstances surrounding her death and any differences they may have had before the incident," she said.

The police boss urged Kenyans to exercise restraint in domestic disputes, noting that such conflicts have recently become a leading cause of femicides.

In December alone, the Sub-County recorded two murders linked to gender-based violence, including a case where a boyfriend dismembered his girlfriend before fleeing.