21-Year-Old Man Kills His Employer a Month After Starting Work; Dumps Her Body in Septic Tank

Detectives in Nairobi, Kenya, have arrested a 21-year-old man, Victor Ambeyi, in connection with the murder of his employer.

The incident took place at the employer’s residence in Nyathain, Kasarani area. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crime.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kenya revealed in a statement on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, that Victor Ambeyi, the 21-year-old suspect, tried to cover up the crime after murdering his employer.

He reportedly wrapped the deceased’s body in a blanket and concealed it in a septic tank located within the compound.

The victim, 78-year-old Catherine Waceke Kimotho, was reported missing on Saturday from her home. Her family made several attempts to locate her, but they were unsuccessful as her mobile phone was turned off, and there was no sign of her.

On Sunday evening, detectives discovered her body wrapped in blankets and submerged in a septic tank. The investigation revealed that she had been murdered, with visible injuries on the back of her head, likely caused by a blunt object.

Her body was transferred to Kenyatta University Funeral Home, and a manhunt for the suspect, Victor Ambeyi, was launched following the discovery.

A team of detectives, led by Kasarani DCIO Justus Ombati, with assistance from the Criminal Research and Intelligence Bureau at Nairobi Area, quickly launched an investigation.

After conducting forensic analysis and following a trail, they were able to locate and arrest the suspect, Victor Ambeyi, who was hiding at his cousin’s house in Kinoo, Nairobi. Both Ambeyi and his cousin were taken into custody.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Ambeyi had been employed as a casual worker in the deceased’s home for a month before the incident.

During questioning, Ambeyi admitted to attacking Catherine Waceke Kimotho after a dispute over being paid less than the agreed amount on Saturday.

“A 21-year-old man believed to have murdered his employer (Ms Catherine Waceke Kimotho) on Sunday, November 10 at Njathaini area of Kasarani has been arrested. The suspect, Victor Ambeyi, was smoked out of his hideout in the Valley area of Kinoo in Kiambu County,” the statement read.

“In the sad incident reported at Njathaini Police Station, the deceased’s body was discovered sprawled at her homestead, and the suspect, a casual labourer at the home, was missing.

“Acting on intelligence, DCI officers from Nairobi regional headquarters proceeded to Kinoo, where the suspect was being harbored by his cousin, Collins Seda Wanjau, 22. The two were arrested.

“After interrogating the suspects, detectives furthered the investigation to Githurai 44, where they recovered the mobile phone of the deceased at a phone repair shop belonging to 22-year-old Benjamin Kimani Mwaura. He was also taken into custody.

“The three suspects have been booked at Kasarani Police Station ahead of their arraignment tomorrow, as detectives seek to unearth the motive behind the heinous m8rder.”