Man linked to killing of his 16-year-old nephew in Samburu arrested
By Nancy Marende, January 18, 2026Daniel Tanapua, 30, has been arrested by law enforcement officers from Baragoi Police Station in connection with the brutal killing of his 16-year-old nephew, Alpha Lemoosa, in Tuum Location, Samburu North Sub-County.
In a statement by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Saturday, January 17, 2026, the agency revealed that preliminary reports indicate that the tragedy occurred shortly after the uncle and nephew shared an evening meal.
“What began as a domestic disagreement quickly escalated into a violent confrontation, ending in the tragic death of the teenager,” read the statement in part.
Further, the DCI revealed that police arriving at the scene discovered Alpha’s body lying lifeless in a pool of blood.
“Investigators recovered a blood-stained Somali sword believed to have been used in the attack. The body was subsequently transported to Baragoi Sub-County Hospital mortuary for preservation and post-mortem examination.”
A swift manhunt was launched, with officers carefully tracking the suspect. Tanapua was later found at his hideout, attempting to wash blood-stained clothes in an effort to destroy evidence.
He is currently in police custody, undergoing processing, and is expected to be arraigned in court soon.
Ngara murder
This comes a few weeks after a Nairobi court detained a street boy linked with the murder of one Dickson Gitonga Muriuki, alias Kanyiri, who was killed within the Ngara area, for 21 days to enable completion of investigations over the matter.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) officer Antony Kerini, they are investigating Erick Kamande Muthoni, alias Erico, over the murder of Gitonga contrary to section 203 as read with section 204 of the Penal Code.
Appearing before Milimani Chief Magistrate Dolphina Alego on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, Officer Kerini told the court that the deceased died on August 15, 2025, while in the company of Mercy Wanjiku Wambui, who reported the matter at Ngara Police Station.
Officer Kerini told the court that, according to Wanjiku, on the said date, as they were walking from Tsunami market within the Ngara area towards Nairobi CBD at around 2:00 am, they were attacked at the Tsunami footbridge by Kamande.
A fight ensued between the deceased and the respondent (Kamande), and in the process, Kamande was joined by others who are still at large, who hit the deceased with a sharp object on the back of his head, leading to his succumbing to injuries.
Officer Kerini, while urging the court to grant him the 21 days, told the court that Kamande, who is one of the persons of interest in the murder, is a street boy and does not have a fixed abode; thus, he is a flight risk.
“Your honour, it has been established that the respondent (Kamande) is a street boy who has no known fixed place of abode, no known family members or contact persons, and does not own or use a mobile phone,” Officer Kerini told the court.
“Due to his lack of fixed residence and identifiable social ties, there exists a high risk of absconding should he be released on bail or bond,” the officer added.