In a chilling attack that has shocked Kenya, three Somali women abducted and brutally murdered were laid to rest on Saturday, with hundreds of mourners gathering in Nairobi.
The victims, Waris Daud, her daughter Nuseyba Abdi Mohammed, and her niece Amina Abdirashid, were buried as public outrage grew over the heinous killings. The tragedy has heightened concerns about safety in Nairobi’s Eastleigh neighbourhood and ignited demands for justice.
An autopsy conducted by Chief Government Pathologist Dr. Johansen Oduor revealed the horrifying extent of the violence. Waris had her neck severed, and her hands were cut off, indicating severe torture.
Amina, her daughter, was stabbed in the heart, and 13-year-old Nuseyba was smothered to death, showing signs of sexual assault. The gruesome details have shocked the public and intensified calls for swift justice.
The tragic events began on October 21, when Waris left home for a routine skin-care appointment and never returned. When she didn’t come back, her daughter Amina and niece Nuseyba went searching for her that evening.
CCTV footage later showed the two women near a taxi, making a phone call—their last known location before disappearing. The following day, their bodies were found in different locations across Nairobi and Machakos County.
Police have since arrested a suspect linked to the murders. The individual, detained while attempting to flee, is believed to have extorted Sh1 million from the family of a fourth woman who was also abducted but later released.
This woman, who managed to escape, told investigators she was held with the three victims and overheard the captors discussing plans to kill them after realizing they could identify their abductors.
Authorities have also recovered a vehicle suspected to have been used in the abduction, and investigations are ongoing.
The burial ceremony at Lang’ata Cemetery was filled with sorrow and anger as family members, community leaders, and officials gathered to mourn.
Sheikh Mohamud Shibli, a prominent Islamic scholar, led the prayers, with Kamukunji Member of Parliament Yusuf Hassan and Somalia’s Ambassador to Kenya, Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle, in attendance. Waris’ husband stood in silence, overcome with grief.
During the funeral, MP Hassan called on the government to expedite the investigation and improve security measures in Kamukunji, a constituency long troubled by gang violence.
“Our community will not rest until we see justice served for these innocent lives,†he declared. Ambassador Abdulle also urged swift action, thanking Kenyan authorities for their efforts and expressing hope that all those responsible would be brought to justice.
The Eastleigh community remains on edge following the tragedy, and family members have urged unity and calm, asking the public to avoid spreading unverified information.
“Let the Directorate of Criminal Investigations do their job. This is a painful time for us, and we need support, not speculation,†a relative said.
This triple homicide has brought renewed attention to the urgent need for improved public safety in Nairobi. Rights groups and community leaders are calling for immediate action to address rising gang violence and ensure the protection of residents, particularly in neighbourhoods like Eastleigh, where such violent incidents have become disturbingly common.