A man who had been on the run following the fatal stabbing of his wife in Mwihoko, Kiambu County, has been arrested in Kayole after detectives in Githurai tracked him down using forensic leads, bringing to an end a brief manhunt that followed the tragic incident.
The suspect, identified as 59-year-old Charles Maina Karungae Kibue, is alleged to have fatally attacked his wife, Elizabeth Wambui, 47, during a domestic altercation that escalated into violence on June 14, 2026, at her shop in the Delta area of Mwihoko Township.
Altercation at Shop Turned Deadly
According to a police report filed at Mwihoko Police Station, the confrontation between the couple began as a domestic disagreement before quickly escalating. During the incident, Kibue allegedly stabbed Wambui on the right side of the chest using a spearhead, inflicting severe injuries.
The attack reportedly occurred at her workplace, where members of the public later discovered her critically injured and bleeding heavily. The suspect fled the scene immediately after the incident, triggering an emergency response and a coordinated search operation by security agencies.
Officers who arrived at the scene found Wambui lying in a pool of blood inside the shop. She was rushed to Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), where she was pronounced dead on arrival despite efforts by medical personnel to save her life.
Her body was later transferred to Kenyatta University Funeral Home pending a postmortem examination to establish further details surrounding the cause of death.
Investigation and Recovery of Weapon
Investigators combing the crime scene recovered a bloodstained spearhead, believed to be the weapon used in the attack. The item has been secured as an exhibit and will form part of the ongoing investigations and eventual prosecution process.
Detectives from Githurai and Mwihoko immediately launched a manhunt for Kibue, who had gone into hiding shortly after the incident. Initial intelligence reports indicated that he had left the Mwihoko area, prompting wider surveillance and tracking operations across Nairobi’s informal settlements.
Arrest in Kayole After Tracking Operation
Following coordinated efforts by investigators, Kibue was traced to a hideout in Kayole, where he was arrested without incident. Police say the arrest was made based on forensic leads and intelligence gathered during the early stages of the investigation.
He is currently in custody undergoing processing as he awaits arraignment in court on murder-related charges.
Security agencies have confirmed that investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances that led to the fatal altercation, including whether there had been a history of domestic disputes between the couple.
Rising Concern Over Domestic Violence Cases
The incident has once again drawn attention to the growing number of domestic violence cases reported in parts of Kiambu County and Nairobi’s surrounding estates. Authorities have in recent months urged couples experiencing domestic conflict to seek intervention through community leaders, counselling services, or police assistance before disputes escalate into violence.
While investigations continue, police have assured the public that justice will be pursued in the case, and that the suspect will face the full force of the law once formally charged.
