NAIROBI, Kenya — A Nairobi court has ordered the detention of a detective attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for 14 days over the alleged murder of his wife at their home in Roysambu.
Daniel Mburu Macharia, an officer attached to the Anti-Narcotics Unit, was arraigned before Jane Mbati, the Principal Magistrate at Makadara Law Courts, as investigators sought additional time to complete inquiries into the death of 43-year-old Florence Nyagah.
Police told the court that Nyagah was discovered dead inside her house along Lumumba Drive in Roysambu on March 1, 2026, lying in a pool of blood.
Inspector of Police Wesley Terer, attached to DCI Kasarani, said a post-mortem conducted at Kenyatta National Hospital confirmed that the deceased died from stab wounds inflicted by a sharp object.
“The deceased, Florence Nyagah, succumbed to stab wounds inflicted by a sharp object as confirmed by post-mortem results conducted on March 2, 2026, at Kenyatta National Hospital,” Terer told the court.
Investigators outline timeline
According to investigators, preliminary findings indicate that Macharia was the last person seen with the deceased on February 27.
“Preliminary investigations show that the deceased may have been murdered by the respondent on an unspecified date between February 27 and March 1, 2026,” Terer said in an affidavit filed in court.
Police further told the court that the couple had been living together as husband and wife and had reportedly quarrelled on the afternoon of February 27 over an unknown issue.
The disagreement was allegedly communicated to Nyagah’s firstborn daughter and her sister. At one point, the deceased reportedly contacted a witness via WhatsApp video call, asking her to come to the house to help resolve the dispute.
However, the suspect is said to have reassured the witness that the matter would be resolved amicably.
Attempts by relatives to reach Nyagah later that night were unsuccessful. Investigators said the suspect occasionally answered calls, claiming they were still resolving their disagreement before both phones eventually went off.
Body discovered by relatives
Concerned family members visited the house on March 1 after failing to reach the couple and discovered Nyagah’s body lying on the floor covered with a blanket.
Detectives who processed the scene recovered a blood-stained knife hidden in the kitchen, which they believe may have been the murder weapon.
“Scene analysis indicated that a struggle had taken place, with the victim apparently attempting to defend herself,” Terer told the court.
Police further alleged that the suspect fled the scene and switched off his phone before later surrendering at a police station in Naivasha on March 3 after his photographs circulated widely in the media.
Investigators had sought 21 working days to complete investigations, citing the need to record witness statements, conduct DNA analysis, perform a mental assessment, and review CCTV footage.
“The respondent’s knowledge of the criminal justice system could jeopardise investigations by interfering with witnesses,” Terer said.
Defence raises mental health concerns
The suspect’s lawyers, Danstan Omari and Shadrack Wambui, opposed the request for extended detention, arguing that Macharia suffers from mental illness and had previously been undergoing treatment.
“The person before the court, Your Honour, should be regarded as a patient and not merely a suspect,” Omari submitted.
Prosecutors opposed the request for hospital admission, saying the defence had not presented medical documentation to support the claim.
Magistrate Mbati ultimately allowed investigators 14 days to detain Macharia at Kasarani Police Station as detectives continue with the investigation into the suspected murder.
