DCI reveals new details in probe into death of KFS legal manager Esther Keige

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has revealed fresh details surrounding the death of Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Legal Services Manager Esther Wairimu Keige, saying probe remains active and that homicide has not been ruled out despite an inconclusive post-mortem examination.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, the DCI said Keige's body was recovered at a coffee plantation in Juja, Kiambu County, after weeks of intensive search efforts following her disappearance on June 10, 2026.

According to investigators, Keige was last seen after her driver dropped her at the Shell petrol station in Juja, adjacent to Senate Hotel, where she had intended to make inquiries about gym services.

"The driver remained behind but the deceased did not return," the statement said.

The DCI said detectives immediately launched investigations after her disappearance, deploying multiple investigative teams alongside partner security agencies.

The probe included the review of CCTV footage, forensic analysis, witness interviews, intelligence-led inquiries, mobile phone data analysis and extensive ground searches in an effort to establish her whereabouts.

Searches were conducted in several areas including Kenyatta Road, Gatundu, Darugo, Mang'u, the Murram area, Stage 4 and surrounding locations.

Detectives also visited hospitals and mortuaries within the region to determine whether she had been admitted or identified among unknown persons.

During the investigations, the DCI said detectives established that Keige had been battling depression and was undergoing treatment.

"Further inquiries also revealed that she had previously disappeared from home on three separate occasions before eventually returning safely," the State investigative agency stated.

The breakthrough in the case, according to the DCI, came on July 6 at around 5pm, when the decomposed body of an unidentified woman was discovered inside a makeshift shelter in a bushy section of the undeveloped Fusion Estate Farm in Kiaora area, Juja, about seven kilometres west of Juja Police Station.

Senior police officers and Crime Scene Investigations (CSI) detectives processed the scene before transferring the body, which was in an advanced state of decomposition, to the Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital (KUTRRH) Funeral Home pending identification and post-mortem examination.

According to the DCI, investigators also recovered the deceased's mobile phone at the scene.

"At the scene, the deceased's mobile phone was recovered intact but switched off. Her shoes had been removed and placed beside the body," the statement said.

Although a post-mortem examination has since been conducted, pathologists were unable to conclusively determine the cause of death because of the body's advanced decomposition.

The examination found no external physical injuries suggestive of assault.

"While the examination revealed no external physical injuries suggestive of assault, the pathologists were unable to conclusively determine the cause of death due to the advanced state of decomposition," the DCI said.

The agency added that samples have since been collected for comprehensive toxicological and other forensic analyses to establish both the cause and manner of death.

"The DCI wishes to clarify that investigations remain active and that homicide has not been ruled out. Detectives are pursuing all plausible lines of inquiry and are awaiting the outcome of the toxicology and other forensic examinations, which are expected to provide critical leads in the investigation," the statement added.

The DCI has appealed to members of the public who may have information regarding Keige's movements between June 10 and the recovery of her body to report to the nearest police station or contact investigators, assuring that any information received will be treated with strict confidentiality.

"The Directorate remains committed to conducting a thorough, impartial, and evidence-led investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding Ms. Keige's death and ensure that any person found culpable is brought to justice," the statement concluded.