Government pathologist Johansen Oduor has revealed that Victoria Mumbua Muloki, a murdered taxi driver, suffered multiple blows from a blunt object before being strangled to death.
Oduor disclosed that Muloki, a mother of three, showed signs of a struggle, indicating she fought back against her attacker.
He noted that her body had visible injuries, suggesting that her killer acted with intent.
“Mumbua’s body had several injuries which included severe head injury. The assailant hit her several times on the head and strangled her to death. There also what looks like a defensive injury along the arms meaning that she was trying to defend herself also,” he said.
Oduor said further tests are being carried out on additional samples to help investigators piece together the full details of the crime.
The 35-year-old taxi driver from Mombasa County had been missing since September 27, 2024, and her body was booked at the City Mortuary on September 29 by officers from Lari Police Station in Kiambu County.
Her body was identified by her family on October 3, 2024, after a thorough investigation into her disappearance.
As the family of the deceased awaits more comprehensive results, a dedicated homicide team is intensively investigating the case. Detectives said they are planning to revisit all crime scenes to retrieve CCTV footage and establish a forensic link between the suspect and the murder locations.
The suspect, Edwin Ng’etich, has already led police to several areas, including Mt. Elgon, Butere, Uasin Gishu, and Nakuru, where five motor vehicles were recovered. It is believed that Ng’etich abducted the vehicle owners before stealing their cars. He is also accused of the 2014 abduction and murder of another taxi driver, George Njuguna.
Ng’etich is facing two murder charges and two robberies with violence charges involving taxi drivers. Authorities suspect he used the stolen cars to transport drugs or refugees, potentially tied to a human trafficking syndicate.
In his confession, Ng’etich recounted that on September 27, while in Mombasa, he requested a ride from Muloki. Midway through the journey, he assaulted her, tying her up in the back seat of her car.
He then took control of the vehicle, driving towards Nairobi. Upon reaching Kibwezi, Muloki pleaded for her release, but Ng’etich stopped the car, strangled her, and continued driving with her body.
He later drove to Mai Mahiu and dumped her body in a thicket near Lari, Kiambu County, before heading to Nakuru, where he was arrested.
Police are now working to corroborate Ng’etich’s confession and connect all the evidence surrounding the case.
Mumbua’s family said the mother of three was only trying to fend for her children who have since been dealt a big blow.
“We appeal to Kenyans to help us in terms of looking after those children and educate them. As a family we’ll come up with a Pay bill number which we will use to receive contributions from Kenyans where they can,” Caroline Mbithe, a family member said.
