William Ovie Opia and Johnbull Asbour, who had been held in connection to the murder of JKUAT student Rita Waeni, have been freed by the Makadara Law Court. The duo had been under police custody since January 22, 2024, following Waeni’s tragic demise.
Initially, the court had granted permission to the police to detain Opia and Asbour to facilitate ongoing investigations into the case. However, during the recent court session, Magistrate Agnes Mwangi ordered the release of the suspects while directing them to appear before investigators weekly.
The prosecution informed the court that investigations are still underway, indicating that the case remains open and active.
Rita Waeni’s lifeless body was discovered on January 14, 2024, in a short-term rental apartment located in the Roysambu area of Nairobi. Shockingly, her body had been dismembered, with her head missing. The grim discovery sent shockwaves throughout the community, prompting an urgent and intensive investigation by law enforcement agencies.
Tragically, Waeni’s head was later found at a dam in Kiambu County on January 21, further deepening the horror and sorrow surrounding her untimely death.
Following these disturbing events, Rita Waeni was laid to rest in a private ceremony on February 5, 2024, as family, friends, and the community mourned the loss of a promising young student whose life was cut short in a senseless act of violence.
The release of Opia and Asbour exposes the complexities and challenges that often accompany criminal investigations.
As the search for answers continues, the memory of Rita Waeni lives on, and the quest for justice for her tragic death remains ongoing.
