Over the years, cases of young Kenyan women being brutally murdered in unclear circumstances have been on the rise. 

Several cases on the murder of young Kenyan ladies are currently in court, with their families hoping that they will receive justice for their departed kin.

In this article, we outline 5 young Kenyan women who were brutally murdered. 

Ivy Wangeci

Wangechi was hacked to death on 9 April 2019 outside the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. At the time of her death, she was a medical student at Moi University School of Medicine.

She was murdered by Naftali Kinuthia, her ex-boyfriend who was reportedly disgruntled by Wangechi's decision to part ways with him. 

File image of Ivy Wangechi. [Photo: Courtesy]

Kinuthia had reportedly traveled to Eldoret for Wangechi's birthday, but lost control and attacked her after seeing her with another man.

"At that point, I lost control and was too angry because of what was happening before me. I wasn't myself again and can't tell how I decided to pick the axe and attack her," he told the court.

Wangechi was laid to rest on 18 April 2019, even as the trial progressed. In December 2023, Kinuthia was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 40 years in prison.

Sharon Otieno

Sharon Otieno, a second-year Medical Records and Information student at Rongo University, was murdered in 2018 when she was seven months pregnant.

Her body was found dumped in a forest in Homa Bay County. The body was found with stab wounds, an indication of a brutal murder.

File image of Sharon Otieno. [Photo: Courtesy]

An autopsy report by Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor indicated that Sharon died from excessive bleeding and strangulation.

Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado and ex-county officials namely; Michael Juma Oyamo and Casper Obiero were among the suspects arrested over the murder. The case is still ongoing.

Monica Kimani

The business lady's body was found at her apartment in Lamuria Gardens on Kitale Lane off Denis Pritt Road in Kilimani.

George Kimani, a brother to the deceased told the court that after he was unable to get his sister on the phone, he visited her apartment, only to find her lifeless body in the bathtub.

File image of Monica Kimani. [Photo: Courtesy]

"..Her hands and legs tied with white straps and blood oozing from her mouth and nose. Her neck was cut," Monica's brother told the court.

Joseph Irungu and media personality Jacque Maribe were later arrested over the murder. The two were charged in court, with the final verdict expected to be delivered on 26 January 2024.

Janet Wangui

Janet died on 20 May 2018 after succumbing to gunshot wounds. She was reportedly shot by police officers at City Park, Nairobi.

Janet and her nephew were reportedly relaxing in a heavily tinted car at the park when the shooting occurred. The car is said to have raised suspicion among the security personnel at the establishment, prompting them to contact the police.

File image of Janet Wangui. [Photo: Courtesy]

Two police officers on patrol visited the scene, and when they allegedly asked Janet and her nephew to lower their window, they drove off, prompting them to open fire.

Janet succumbed to the gunshot wounds, while her nephew survived. The police later defended themselves stating that the incident happened at the height of terror threats in the country.

Scarlet Wahu

Wahu, a socialite, was brutally murdered in an Airbnb apartment in South B, Nairobi County on 3 January 2024.

An autopsy report revealed that Wahu, the younger sister to Pastor Victor Kanyari died as a result of excessive bleeding.

A man identified as John Matara was arrested in connection to the murder.

File image of Scarlet Wahu. [Photo: Courtesy]

According to Makadara police boss Judith Nyongesa, the suspect cut a critical vein in Wahu's body, prompting her to bleed to death within a short period.

"The suspect cut the woman's vein that connects to the heart, which is why she died faster. There was nothing we could do to save her life," Nyongesa told the press.