Nairobi bar manager wanted by police after allegedly stabbing girlfriend to death

Police in Nairobi’s Kayole area are investigating the circumstances under which a woman was killed and her body discovered with multiple wounds to her head and other parts.

The body of Catherine Wanjiru, also known as Sharon Cate, was found lying in her house on the night of May 10, 2025, just hours after she had spent time with her boyfriend, Samuel Mathenge.

Mathenge, 31, who is said to be a bar manager, is now a person of interest in the case that has been booked at Kayole Police Station.

On the fateful night, Mathenge is reported to have visited Wanjiru at her residence near Kayole Junction along Kangundo Road.

At the time, Wanjiru was with her 11-year-old son, who witnessed part of the encounter between the two adults. 

However, what exactly transpired remains unclear, as Wanjiru was later found dead in the house, bearing stab wounds.

“What we have gathered is that an argument broke out between them, and at one point he slapped her repeatedly,” said Ann Wambui, the deceased’s sister.

“This prompted her to send her son to alert the security guard on the ground floor that all was not well in the house,” she added.

Unfortunately, the boy found the guard assisting someone to park a vehicle and was unable to immediately relay the message.

“He went back to the house, only to find it locked from the inside with a padlock. He then returned to the guard and reported the matter,” she explained.

Wambui said that at that point, the security guard tried to call Wanjiru’s phone but Mathenge answered and did not indicate that anything was amiss. 

Minutes later, Mathenge was reportedly seen leaving the compound with a Maasai shuka draped over his head, seemingly to conceal his identity. 

And when the security guard called him, he reportedly fled away towards Kangundo Road around 10pm.

 In the house, he is said to have left behind a mobile phone and a copy of his identity card, an indication that he was a frequent visitor.

“I was among the first to step in the house after police and what I saw was horrific. Wanjiru lay dead with several stabs on the head, neck and arms,” said Wambui, adding:

“The painful part is the son was also present and saw the mother in that state. He did not fully comprehend what had happened due to his innocence.”

Kayole Sub-County Commander John Awouth, who confirmed the incident, said that the case was under probe by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

Wanjiru leaves behind two children aged 22 and 11. The 11-year-old is now in Grade 7.

Her younger sister Sarah Wambui described Wanjiru as the most peaceful person in the family.