NYAMIRA, Kenya – In a major breakthrough in a case that has shocked the nation, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested the prime suspect in the gruesome murder of Faith Kemunto, a bright young woman on the cusp of beginning her university education. The key suspect is her boyfriend, Gidion Angisa, who was apprehended in Nairobi after a intense manhunt and was found in possession of the deceased’s mobile phone.
The arrest brings a grim sense of closure to a tragic story that began in late July 2025, when Faith Kemunto, a prospective student set to join Machakos University, vanished without a trace after leaving her home to meet Angisa.
A Promising Future Cut Short
Faith Kemunto’s story is one of stolen potential. She represented the hopes and dreams of many young Kenyans, having secured a place to pursue higher education at Machakos University. In preparation for her admission, she had traveled from Nairobi to her family home in Nyamira county on July 27, 2025. Her family described her as excited and eager to embark on this new chapter of her life.
Tragically, that chapter would never be written. On what investigators are calling a “fateful day,” Faith informed her family that she was stepping out to meet her boyfriend, Gidion Angisa. It was a meeting from which she would never return. When she failed to come home that night and all attempts to reach her and Angisa failed, her family’s concern quickly turned to panic.
The Desperate Search and the Grim Discovery.
Acting swiftly, Faith’s family reported her missing at the Nyamuri Police Station. Initial search efforts by police and community members, focused on locating both Faith and Gidion Angisa, unfortunately yielded no positive results. The couple seemed to have vanished into thin air, leaving behind a trail of worry and unanswered questions.
As days passed, the case was escalated, bringing in specialized detectives from the DCI. Their investigation took a dark turn when they uncovered evidence suggesting foul play. This led them to petition the Nyamira Law Courts for an exhumation order for a body buried in a shallow grave by a roadside. The order was granted, and the body, believed to be that of Faith Kemunto, was exhumed for formal identification and autopsy. The discovery confirmed the family’s worst fears: their daughter had been murdered.
The Manhunt and Dramatic Arrest.
With the recovery of the body, the investigation shifted into a high-gear manhunt for the primary person of interest: Gidion Angisa. DCI detectives, piecing together digital evidence and witness statements, tracked the fugitive to the bustling Huruma estate in Nairobi. He had been holed up in a hideout, attempting to evade capture.
In a coordinated operation, detectives “smoked out” the suspect and placed him under arrest. The arrest proved to be a critical piece of the puzzle. Upon taking him into custody, officers conducted a search and made a chilling discovery: Gidion Angisa was in possession of Faith Kemunto’s mobile phone. This piece of evidence directly links him to the victim around the time of her disappearance and death.
Following his arrest in Nairobi, Angisa was escorted under heavy guard back to Nyamira County. He is currently being held in custody at the Ekerenyo Police Station as the investigation continues to unfold.
A Multi-Agency Investigation Unfolds.
The DCI has confirmed that this is a complex case being handled by a dedicated team of homicide detectives. They are being supported by top forensic experts from the DCI National Forensic Laboratory, who are tasked with analyzing physical evidence, including the exhumed body and the recovered mobile phone, to build an irrefutable case for the prosecution.
To ensure investigators have ample time to complete their meticulous work, the courts have granted the DCI a 21-day custodial order. This allows them to hold and question the suspect without charging him immediately, a common practice in intricate murder investigations where evidence gathering is paramount.
Seeking Justice for Faith
The murder of Faith Kemunto has sent ripples of fear and anger through communities across Kenya. It highlights the ongoing issue of gender-based violence and femicide, a crisis that continues to claim the lives of young women. Faith’s case is particularly poignant because she was murdered just as she was about to achieve her academic dreams.
As the suspect remains in police custody, the nation’s eyes are on the Kenyan justice system. The public is demanding swift and decisive justice for Faith Kemunto. The possession of the victim’s phone provides a strong circumstantial link, but detectives are likely working around the clock to establish a motive, a timeline of events, and to gather any additional forensic evidence that can secure a conviction.
The family of Faith Kemunto, while grieving an unimaginable loss, has expressed gratitude to the DCI for their relentless efforts in making an arrest. They now must endure the painful wait for a trial, hoping it will bring them the answers and justice they deserve.
This case serves as a somber reminder and has sparked renewed calls for better protection for women and girls and for stronger mechanisms to address intimate partner violence. The community of Nyamira and the entire nation await the next developments in this heartbreaking case of a life full of promise, brutally cut short.
