On May 29, Mr Desmond Kiago Mahugu, 32, left work and went to his business, a bar in Upper Hill estate, Nakuru. However, two hours later, a scuffle between Mr Kiago and a bouncer from an adjacent bar over the arrangement of seats ended up in a stabbing.
Lydia Kiago, the mother of Desmond Kiago Mahugu, in Nakuru on June 9, 2026.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation
The bouncer is said to have drawn a knife and stabbed Kiago on the left leg, leaving him unconscious before friends rushed him to a nearby hospital.
Family demands justice for Nakuru bar owner stabbed to death
According to Kiago’s aunt Ms Milkah Mahugu, after regaining consciousness, he called his uncle and informed him that he had been attacked.
Milkah Nyambura, a relative of Desmond Kiago Mahugu, speaks to the media on June 9, 2026. The family is seeking justice following his death.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation
At the hospital, Kiago narrated to those present that on the fateful day, he arrived at work around 7.30pm. Sometime later, he noticed a commotion outside the bar; one of his colleagues arranging seats was arguing with a bouncer from the neighbouring establishment.
Kiago, concerned about the situation, walked to where the two were and inquired what was happening. The bouncer said he would not allow any additional seats from Kiago's bar, a competitor, saying it was blocking the entrance to adjacent bars. Kiago then left and brought a seat to the disputed area. However, as he was heading to pick a second chair, the bouncer pushed him. He wrestled Kiago to the ground and stabbed him on the left thigh, before dragging him for some distance. His friends rescued him.
“He has been operating the business for the past one year; there are more than five joints there. He told me that he was very polite when he inquired about the commotion between his employee and the bouncer,” she recalled.
Tripple Tee entertainment joint in Nakuru City where Desmond Kiago Mahugu was stabbed.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation
According to Ms Mahugu, Kiago was rushed to a nearby hospital for First Aid, and then transferred to Nakuru Specialist Hospital for further treatment where he was admitted with a serious deep wound.
At the facility, the medics told the family that Kiago’s condition was worsening and he was transferred to another private hospital on Saturday for specialised treatment. Kiago underwent an eight-hour surgery but succumbed while recuperating at the hospital on June 4.
“The doctors told us he sustained injuries on vital arteries. He was in pain. He kept asking if the stab wound would kill him, but I kept assuring him that he would be okay. The suspect has been arrested. We just plead with investigators to conduct a speedy investigation,” she pleaded.
Kiago’s sister Eva Nyawira said that Kiago was the breadwinner in the family after their father passed on several years ago.
Eva Nyawira, the sister of Desmond Kiago Mahugu, speaks to the Nation on June 9, 2026. Her brother was stabbed by a bouncer in Nakuru.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation
According to Ms Nyawira, Kiago was the manager at Dr. Mattress showroom Nakuru branch.
“His death has left a huge void in the family. We lost another sibling last year. Now I am the only surviving daughter. Our mother is in pain. He was our first born; I do not know if she will ever get past this,” she said.
The suspect, identified as David Raymond Odhiambo, was traced and was later arrested by officers from Central Police station on June 5.
During the arrest, detectives recovered the knife alleged to have been used in stabbing Kiago concealed under the bed. Raymond was presented at the Nakuru court and detectives were allowed to detain him for 10 more days to complete the investigation.
Detectives seek to record statements from witnesses, conduct a postmortem to establish the cause of death, and retrieve CCTV footage from the crime scene.
They also intend to retrieve DNA samples from the recovered knife, which will be forwarded to the Government Chemist for analysis.
