The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has issued a statement regarding the death of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) supporter Rachael Wandeto, and the findings have completely pulled the rug from under the feet of those who were loudest in exploiting her tragedy.
Wandeto had risen to fame earlier this year after tattooing the face of President William Ruto on her chest, a bold declaration of political loyalty that made her a household name. When she was found burned at her home in Mwiki, Kasarani Constituency, Ruto and his brigade of bloggers were quick to point the finger at the united opposition, claiming she had been targeted for being a proud UDA supporter.
Like scavengers circling a carcass, UDA wasted no time milking the moment for every drop of political capital it was worth. Women and children were reportedly paid to stage protests, holding up Wandeto’s death as a symbol of political intolerance and tribal hatred.
UDA heavyweights flooded social media with lengthy posts directing their accusations squarely at the opposition, led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Even President William Ruto himself, fresh off a flight from Kazakhstan, stood before public forums and declared that Wandeto deserved justice because she had been killed for her political beliefs.
But as the famous Irish saying goes, a lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes.
The truth has now arrived, and it is not the story UDA was selling.
On Thursday, the DCI announced the arrest of one man in connection with Wandeto’s burning. The suspect, identified as Josiah Njeru Njiri, is a taxi driver who had been Wandeto’s regular driver.
According to police sources, investigators are now zeroing in on money as the primary motive, with indications that the suspect may have believed Wandeto was carrying cash received from places she had recently visited, including State House.
The political tattoo angle that Ruto, the UDA, and their army of apologists had been pushing so aggressively is no longer being treated as the primary motive.
Detectives are also pursuing additional suspects believed to have taken part in the attack.
Wandeto was attacked on the night of May 16th near 11th Street on Obama Road in Mwiki, where she was assaulted, doused with a flammable substance, and set ablaze. She was rushed to the hospital but could not be saved. She died at Kenyatta National Hospital on May 18th, with burns covering approximately seventy-five percent of her body.
The scavengers who danced on her grave for political mileage now have a lot of explaining to do.
