Residents of Matete in Lugari Constituency are in shock after a fourth-year university student was killed in what police believe was a dispute involving a romantic relationship. The victim, identified as Faith Kisilwa Namakwangwachi, was found with several stab wounds at Mbande Guest House.
Authorities say the main suspect is her boyfriend. He reportedly fled the scene but was later intercepted by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Muhoroni, Kisumu County. He is now in custody at Kakamega Police Station as investigations proceed.
Early reports indicate that the killing may have been prompted by a love-gone-sour situation, though police are still gathering evidence to establish motive, timing, and sequence of events.
The tragedy occurred just weeks after Faith had laid her mother to rest, intensifying the grief among her family members, friends, and classmates. Her death has sent ripples through the local university community, with many questioning what led to such violence.
Investigators are expected to conduct forensic analysis and collect witness statements to build the case. They will also examine whether there was any history of violence in the relationship and whether any warnings or interventions were ignored.
As the suspect remains in custody, local leaders and community members have called for swift and fair justice. They emphasise that cases of intimate partner violence must be taken seriously and that protection mechanisms for vulnerable people should be strengthened.
The approval of a thorough investigation is widely supported, but there is also concern that such cases often lose momentum if evidence is weak or if access to justice is limited. For Faith’s family, the desire is not just for punishment of the perpetrator, but also for accountability, emotional support, and assurance that such tragedies are less likely to happen again.
Faith’s death underscores how personal disputes can escalate into fatal violence, and reminds us of the urgent need for awareness around relationship conflict, mental health support, and safe spaces for people alleging abuse or threats.
