Grief, pain as family of slain gospel singer Rachel Wandeto demands justice

Rachel Wandeto's mother, Sarah Njeri, during an interview in their home in Kabumbu village, Kirinyaga county/ ALICE WAITHERA

The family of slain gospel artiste Rachel Wandeto from Kirinyaga county is demanding justice.

She succumbed to severe burn injuries allegedly inflicted by unknown attackers in Mwiki, Nairobi.

Wandeto died on Monday while receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital, where she had been admitted after suffering burns covering more than 70 per cent of her body in an attack that occurred on May 16.

Her relatives are now urging the government to fast-track investigations and ensure those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.

Family members described Wandeto as peaceful, loving and hardworking, saying she did not deserve such a violent death. They spoke at their home in Kabumbu village, Kirinyaga Central.

“My request is that justice should prevail because nobody has the right to take another person’s life,” her aunt, Loise Wachira, said.

The family said Wandeto was attacked by three men while walking home in Mwiki, Kasarani constituency.

The assailants allegedly accused her of benefiting from her public support for President William Ruto before dousing her with petrol and setting her on fire.

The singer had previously gone viral after tattooing President Ruto’s face on her chest alongside the phrase “Tutam”, which sparked mixed reactions online.

Her sister-in-law, Sarah Wambui, said the family only learnt about the incident through Wandeto’s husband and social media reports, as the singer struggled to speak due to the severity of her injuries.

“She told me to pray for her so that she succeeds in the journey she was facing,” Wambui said.

Wambui said doctors informed the family that Wandeto had suffered burns covering about 79 per cent of her body, with only her face spared.

“She was in a lot of pain. Even speaking was difficult for her,” she said.

Wambui said Wandeto’s husband received a distress call from strangers while at work in Thika, informing him that his wife had been attacked and needed urgent help.

He rushed to Mwiki and found her critically injured before neighbours helped take her to Uzima Uhai Hospital for first aid, after which she was referred to Kenyatta National Hospital.

The family also said they struggled to raise ambulance and medical expenses before friends stepped in to help.

“He told me he did not even have money for the ambulance and had to call friends who assisted him,” Wambui said.

Relatives further revealed that Wandeto had recently been living in fear following the online attention triggered by her tattoo and political expression.

According to Wambui, she avoided moving around during the day because she felt she was being watched and judged, and would often go shopping at night for safety.

Her aunt, Wachira, said no one should be harmed for expressing personal beliefs or political affiliation.

“She had chosen her side and nobody should have denied her the right to express herself. We want those responsible brought to book,” she said.

Her father, Bishop Paul Wandeto, described her as a loving daughter who cared deeply for her family.

“She had a right to live, a right to speak and a right to move freely like every other Kenyan,” he said, urging investigators to establish the truth and ensure justice is served.

The incident has sparked public outrage online, with leaders and citizens calling for swift investigations.

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen visited her in the hospital a day before her death and condemned the attack, directing police to expedite investigations.

As the family prepares for burial arrangements, relatives say they are devastated, especially as Wandeto leaves behind two children.

“We are hurting as a family, but we pray justice will be done,” Wachira said.

Rachel Wandeto's mother, Sarah Njeri, and uncle Joseph Kimaru in their home in Kabumbu village, Kirinyaga county/ ALICE WAITHERA

Relatives of Rachel Wandeto display a portrait of her in their home at Kabumbu village, Kirinyaga county, on May 19, 2026/ ALICE WAITHERA