Police have ruled out claims that gospel artist Rachel Wandeto was killed because of a tattoo linked to President William Ruto, saying new investigations point to money issues, personal disputes and a possible love triangle as the likely motives behind the brutal attack that led to her death.
Fresh details from investigators show that detectives are now focusing on people close to Wandeto, including a man identified as Josiah Njeru Njiri, who has been described as her regular taxi driver.
Njiri was arrested by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations homicide unit in Kasarani as investigations into the murder continue.
According to police sources, detectives believe the suspect may have thought Wandeto had recently received money from several places she had visited, including State House.
Investigators are now examining whether financial disagreements could have contributed to the attack.The case had initially attracted major public attention after claims spread online suggesting the killing was connected to a tattoo associated with President Ruto.
However, detectives now say that line of investigation is no longer being treated as the main motive behind the murder.
Police are also investigating claims of personal grudges and possible romantic conflicts involving the suspect and the victim. Sources involved in the investigation say detectives are looking into whether disagreements linked to relationships or jealousy may have played a role in the attack.
The suspect is expected to be arraigned in court as detectives seek custodial orders to allow more time for investigations.
Mohamed Amin confirmed the arrest and said detectives are still pursuing additional suspects believed to have participated in the incident.
Wandeto was attacked on May 16 near 11th Street on Obama Road in Mwiki, Kasarani. Police say she was assaulted before being doused with a flammable substance and set on fire by her attackers.
She was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital with severe injuries after suffering burns covering nearly 75 percent of her body.
Despite efforts by doctors to save her life, she died on May 18 while receiving treatment.
The latest developments now appear to shift the direction of the investigation away from politics and toward personal relationships, money disputes and possible grudges involving people known to the victim.
Detectives say investigations are ongoing as they work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the killing.
