The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Wednesday arrested Richard Gikuhe Mbugua, the prime suspect in the murder of Technical University of Kenya (TUK) lecturer Edgar Mokua, whose body was discovered days after he disappeared from his Lavington home on July 6, 2026.
Detectives said forensic investigations linked Mbugua to the killing and identified a grey Toyota Ractis, registration number KBZ 002R, as the vehicle allegedly used to transport and dump the lecturer's body.
Investigations are ongoing ahead of the suspect's arraignment in court.
Mokua was last seen on July 6, 2026, when he left his residence at Princes Park in Lavington at around 4:20 p.m. He failed to return home, prompting concerned relatives to report him missing at Muthangari Police Station after attempts to trace him proved unsuccessful.
Five days later, his body was found at the Nairobi City Mortuary after officers from Kiamumbi Police Station recovered it near Woodcreek Academy and transferred it to the facility.
The DCI explained that the complexity of the case prompted homicide detectives to take over investigations, which pieced together the lecturer's final movements before his death.
"Detectives established that on the night he disappeared, Mokua had spent several hours at Kettle Club in Lavington with two men and a woman before the group proceeded to Ibiza Club at Lavington Mall. His companions later left, leaving him behind, never to be seen again. His body was later discovered dumped near Woodcreek Academy."
Forensic intelligence used by the investigators became central to the inquiry, helping them identify the vehicle allegedly used to dispose off the body.
"Thanks to forensic intelligence, investigators established that a grey Toyota Ractis with the registration number KBZ 002R was the vehicle responsible for dropping Mokua's body at the scene before speeding away."
The breakthrough triggered a manhunt that led detectives to the suspect in Kiambu County.
According to the DCI, officers traced Richard Gikuhe Mbugua to Ruiru Blue Estate, where he was arrested. The Toyota Ractis allegedly linked to the crime was later recovered at Murera Farm in Juja.
"A manhunt for the suspect was immediately initiated, and through forensic trails, detectives managed to arrest Richard Gikuhe Mbugua within Ruiru Blue Estate, the owner of the Toyota Ractis, and recovered the motor vehicle at Murera Farm within Juja."
The suspect remains in custody as investigators continue gathering evidence ahead of his arraignment in court.
The recovered vehicle has been impounded and is being held as an exhibit as detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the lecturer's death and establish whether additional suspects may have been involved.
The DCI has appealed to members of the public to continue sharing information that could assist ongoing investigations into serious crimes through its anonymous reporting channels.