Five detained over death of student who fell from building in Kiambu

 

Five suspects were detained in connection with the death of a 23-year-old college student who allegedly fell from a seven-storey building in Gacharage, Ruaka, Kiambu.

The five were produced in court and police were allowed to detain them for 10 days to conclude investigations into the incident.

The deceased, Catherine Njeri, a student at Kenya Institute of Management, had visited her friend for a party at their apartment last Sunday before tragedy struck while she was on the rooftop with the friend’s boyfriend.

Witnesses said at around 9:30pm, Njeri left the house in the company of her friend’s boyfriend and went to the rooftop where there is a pavilion. 

Kiambaa Deputy County Commissioner Peter Maina said the police have initiated a probe into the circumstances surrounding Njeri’s death.

“The suspects will provide statements and cooperate fully with our detectives to help uncover the truth,” Maina told the media on Tuesday.

The tenants of the building recounted the moment when they heard a loud bang that drew their attention.

“We rushed out to see what was happening, and we were shocked to see it was a woman’s body,” said one tenant.

Witnesses said the deceased was visiting her friends and they were about eight of them in that apartment.

She had apparently gone to the balcony with a man and a struggle ensued while there before she fell off.

The other tenants rushed to the house and woke up those who were there who appeared unaware she had fallen and died.

It is not clear what transpired.

The body was taken to Kihara Level 4 Hospital mortuary, where an autopsy will be conducted.