Justice for Wandeto! Leaders storm police HQ over killing of gospel musician

Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria, nominated Senator Karen Nyamu, Mbeere North MP Njeru Wamuthende, Principal Assistant to the Inspector General, Mathew Kutoh and other leaders during a visit to the National Police Service headquarters in Nairobi on May 20, 2026, where they presented a protest note demanding justice for gospel musician Rachel Wandeto following her fatal attack in Mwiki/ NPS

Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria on Wednesday led a delegation of political leaders to the National Police Service headquarters in Nairobi, demanding justice for gospel musician Rachel Muthoni Wandeto, who died after suffering severe burn injuries following an attack in Mwiki.

The leaders, who visited Vigilance House, called for urgent investigations and swift arrests over the incident that has sparked public outrage and intensified debate on political intolerance and violence in the country.

According to a statement from the National Police Service (NPS), the delegation was received by Principal Assistant to the Inspector General Mathew Kutoh on behalf of Inspector General Douglas Kanja, who was away on official duty.

The meeting centred on concerns over rising political intolerance, with the leaders citing Wandeto’s death as part of what they described as growing hostility and violence in public life.

“The leaders called for urgent police action to address such violence, insisting that those responsible for this heinous act and other related crimes must be brought to justice,” the NPS statement said.

The delegation also submitted a protest note titled “Justice For Rachel”, in which they condemned what they termed careless and inflammatory remarks by some political actors, warning that such rhetoric could fuel hostility, anger and tribal tensions.

Police said the leaders stressed that criminal acts and violence have no place in Kenya’s democracy and urged authorities to act swiftly to restore public confidence in security agencies.

In response, Kutoh assured the delegation that investigations into the attack were ongoing, with detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations actively pursuing leads to identify and arrest those responsible.

“He assured them that the NPS, through the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, is currently conducting investigations and pursuing leads to apprehend the suspects, who will face the full force of the law,” the statement added.

Among the leaders who attended the meeting were nominated Senator Karen Nyamu and Mbeere North MP Njeru Wamuthende, alongside other political figures from Nairobi.

Senior police officers present included NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga and Director of Training and Research Hassan Aljir.

Rachel Muthoni Wandeto died on May 18 while receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital after sustaining burns covering about 75 per cent of her body. Preliminary investigations indicate she was assaulted by unknown individuals who allegedly doused her with a flammable substance before setting her on fire and fleeing the scene.

The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders, women’s groups and human rights activists, all calling for swift investigations and accountability.

President William Ruto has also condemned the attack, stating that those responsible would face justice regardless of their affiliations.