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Heartbreak in Laikipia as family lays Joy Kanini to rest after her brutal murder
06th August, 2026 02:57 PM
Tears flowed freely in Mutara, Ngobit Ward, Laikipia County, as family, friends, leaders and hundreds of mourners gathered to bid farewell to 25-year-old Joy Kanini Gathu, whose gruesome murder and dismemberment shocked the country.
The emotional burial, held on Thursday, August 6, 2026, was marked by deep sorrow as mourners struggled to come to terms with the horrifying circumstances under which the young woman lost her life.
Joy’s white casket, beautifully decorated with flowers, was placed at the centre of the funeral venue as grieving family members broke down in tears while paying their final respects.
Throughout the service, speakers described the deceased as a humble, loving and caring young woman whose untimely death had robbed the community of a bright future.
The family also used the burial ceremony to renew calls for justice, insisting that those responsible for Joy’s brutal killing should face the full force of the law.
One of Joy’s close friends, Joyce Wangechi, emotionally remembered the special bond they shared, recalling how thoughtful and caring Joy had always been.
According to Joyce, Joy always treasured the little things people did for her and constantly checked in on those she loved.
“I will always remember how carefully you kept the things I used to send you in town and how naturally you cared for everyone around you. I cannot forget the calls you made to inform me that you had arrived from school. Your random visits always brightened my day, and we would burst into laughter,” Joyce said.
Joy’s mother, Beatrice Njoki, fought back tears as she described her daughter as one of God’s greatest blessings to the family.
She said Joy had transformed their lives through her kindness, love and cheerful personality.
“You were not just a daughter; you were a special gift from God. You brought fulfilment into our lives in ways we cannot explain. You filled our home with laughter and our lives with purpose. You made me a better mother simply by being you,” Beatrice said.
Former Laikipia Woman Representative Cate Waruguru also attended the burial, where she strongly condemned the killing, describing it as one of the most disturbing homicide cases she has ever encountered.
Waruguru maintained that the murder was carefully planned and urged authorities to ensure justice prevails.
“This is the most horrific story I have ever heard as a woman leader concerning homicide. This is a gruesome murder that was orchestrated by a man who was prepared. He was predetermined and it was not an accident. I support those saying forgive, but I am on the side of justice,” she said.
Her remarks were met with applause from mourners, many of whom echoed the family’s demand for swift justice.
The burial brought to a close weeks of pain and uncertainty that followed the recovery of Joy’s dismembered remains in Nyeri County.
Homicide case
Joy Kanini Gathu’s murder became one of Kenya’s most horrifying homicide cases after her dismembered body was recovered in separate stages across Nyeri County over more than a month.
The first discovery was made on June 11, 2026, when members of the public found her torso stuffed inside a sack and abandoned near a perimeter fence in Ngangarithi Estate, Nyeri.
At the time, the body was recorded as that of an unidentified woman because it was missing the head, hands and legs.
A postmortem examination later established that Joy had died from excessive bleeding after being brutally dismembered using a saw.
Investigations intensified after her father, Reverend Peter Gathu, raised concerns about her boyfriend, John Nderitu Muriithi, popularly known as Tizo, prompting detectives to raid the suspect’s residence.
On June 16, 2026, investigators recovered Joy’s hands and feet after neighbours complained of a foul smell coming from a pit latrine located about 20 metres from the suspect’s house.
The body parts had been wrapped inside black polythene bags and concealed in the latrine.
Detectives also recovered a machete, blood-stained clothing and a blood-stained mattress from the suspect’s house.
The final breakthrough came after police arrested the suspect along the Nanyuki–Isiolo Road while he was attempting to flee towards Uganda.
Following intensive interrogation by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Homicide Bureau, the person of interest led officers to another pit latrine in Ngangarithi Estate.
On July 14, 2026, forensic experts spent nearly 24 hours excavating the approximately 20-foot-deep pit before recovering Joy’s missing head alongside more blood-stained clothing believed to have been used in concealing the crime.
Author
Steve Ireri
Steve is a senior writer with over four years of experience in digital journalism. His focus is on the showbiz and human interest stories. Emails: [email protected] , [email protected]
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