NAIROBI, Kenya – Nelson Ambia, the man under investigation over the death of his 21-year-old girlfriend, Feruz Hussein, has drawn public attention following his appearance in court, where he was seen making gestures and appearing to mouth inaudible words towards the deceased’s family.
The courtroom moment has added to the intense public interest surrounding the case, which has shocked many Kenyans because of allegations that emerged after Hussein’s death in Nairobi’s Kasarani area.
Ambia appeared before a Nairobi court as detectives sought more time to investigate the circumstances of Hussein’s death, including a video allegedly recorded after the incident and shared with members of her family.
The case has since attracted widespread discussion online, with attention focused not only on the allegations against the suspect but also on the family’s ordeal and the search for answers over the young woman’s death.
Court gives detectives 14 days to complete investigations
On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Nairobi Magistrate Joan Mati directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to complete its investigations within 14 days.
Detectives had requested 21 days to conclude their work before forwarding the investigation file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for review and a decision on possible charges.
According to investigating officer Amos Menza, the inquiry includes forensic examination of footage that has circulated widely online. Investigators want to establish its source and examine its relevance to the case.
The court also heard that Ambia allegedly left Nairobi for Naivasha after Hussein’s death before being arrested following a manhunt.
The matter is scheduled for mention on November 5, 2026, when investigators are expected to update the court on their progress.
What investigators allege happened to Feruz Hussein
Hussein’s death was reported at Sunton Police Station in Kasarani Sub-County on September 30, 2026. Her body was found inside a house in the Githurai-Sunton area, according to earlier reports citing police documentation.
Investigators allege that Hussein and Ambia were in a relationship and living together when a domestic dispute occurred.
In an affidavit presented to court, police alleged that Ambia recorded a video showing Hussein’s body after the incident and sent it to members of the family, including her mother.
The footage later circulated online, prompting further scrutiny. Detectives told the court that they needed time to obtain and forensically examine the video as part of their investigation.
The allegations have contributed to the public reaction surrounding the case, although the prosecution’s claims must still be tested through the legal process.
Why the family’s experience has become central to the case
Beyond the courtroom gestures, the case has drawn attention because of reports that Hussein’s relatives received the alleged video and subsequently raised concerns about threats against members of their family.
Earlier reports also said former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko offered a reward for credible information that could help locate Ambia while he was being sought by police. He was later arrested in Naivasha, according to subsequent coverage.
The combination of the allegations, the circulation of disturbing footage and the family’s reported concerns has made the case a subject of intense public discussion.
The latest court proceedings, however, remain focused on allowing investigators to complete their work and establish the evidence that may be presented to prosecutors.
Suspect remains under investigation
During the proceedings, detectives opposed Ambia’s release on bond, arguing that concerns about his whereabouts could complicate efforts to ensure his attendance in court.
Magistrate Mati cautioned that living in a rented apartment was not, on its own, enough to establish that someone posed a flight risk. The court nevertheless considered the allegation that Ambia had travelled to Naivasha after the incident when assessing the concerns raised by investigators.
Ambia also asked the court to direct investigators to examine three separate incidents in which he claimed he had been attacked and seriously injured.
The DCI has until the court’s deadline to conclude its investigations and submit the file to the ODPP for review.
For now, the courtroom gestures that have attracted public attention remain separate from the central legal question: what happened to Feruz Hussein and what the evidence establishes about her death.
