On December 19, 2024, 32-year-old businessman Kevin Makau left his home in Kasarani, Nairobi, to visit a long-time friend in Nakuru County.
Little could he have foreseen the tragic turn of events that would end his life that very night.
On December 19, 2024, 32-year-old businessman Kevin Makau was fatally stabbed by his long-time friend Seth Kiprop in Nakuru County.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation
Kevin had travelled to meet his friend Seth Kiprop, 30, and after arriving in Nakuru town, Kiprop greeted him and the two went to an entertainment joint to watch a football match over dinner and drinks.
At around midnight, the two friends returned to Kiprop's home in Nakuru Town's Eveready area, but shortly afterwards an argument broke out and Kiprop allegedly stabbed Kevin in the chest, killing him instantly.
Nakuru West Sub-County Police Commander Anderson Njagi confirmed the incident and said investigations were underway to establish what led to the fatal altercation.
"We received information from the caretaker of the flat on Friday afternoon, December 20. When police visited the scene, they found Kevin's body lying on the floor with a single stab wound on his chest," Mr Njagi said.
Police processed the scene and arrested Kiprop who was still in the house. He was taken to Kaptembwa Police Station for questioning.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Kevin had been staying with Kiprop, who was his host during the visit.
We are yet to establish the exact sequence of events that night. The suspect has since been arraigned in court and detectives have been granted more time to detain him while investigations continue," Mr Njagi added.
In a police report seen by Nation.Africa , homicide detectives requested and were granted 14 days to complete investigations into the matter.
Speaking at the Nakuru City Mortuary, Mr Makau recounted the phone call he received from a nephew informing him of Kevin's tragic death.
dn Murder 2312 3
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation
"My nephew called to say that he had been summoned to the Nakuru West DCI's office. There, detectives informed him that my son had been stabbed and was dead. Kevin had gone to Nakuru to visit his friend and now we're left with unanswered questions. He has a family and two children," said Mr Makau.
"We last saw each other in November at our home in Nairobi, where we even planned to celebrate Christmas as a family. He was a businessman, not the type to pick fights or cause trouble. I want justice for my son, I need to know who killed him and why. The police should speed up the investigation," he said.
Kevin's wife, Gladys Kanana, said her husband had been in touch with her until 1am on the fateful night when his phone suddenly went off.
"I had travelled to Bomet three weeks ago to visit my family. Kevin had promised to pick me and the children up on December 24 so that we could spend Christmas together at his parents' house in Nairobi," she said.
Kevin's wife, Gladys Kanana speaks to journalists after receiving the news of his murder.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation
Kanana revealed that Kevin had failed to disclose his visit to Nakuru, telling her instead that he was in Machakos.
"I had asked him to cut ties with Kiprop because I felt the friend was a bad influence. Kevin was a family man and Kiprop's love of drinking worried me. Maybe that's why he didn't tell me he was in Nakuru," said Kanana.
She described the deceased as a caring husband who had promised to bring her and the children Christmas presents.
"We were talking happily that evening. He told me he was free and looking forward to the holidays. He was cheerful as always. That was the last time we spoke. Later I heard from his cousin that he had been stabbed and his body was in the mortuary," she said.
According to Kevin's mother-in-law, Margaret Wairimu, the police showed her CCTV footage of Kevin and Kiprop's movements on the night of the incident.
The footage showed Kevin arriving at Kiprop's home around midnight, knocking on the front gate and being let in by the security guard.
"Kevin entered the house but Kiprop stayed outside, talking to the guard and giving him water and a packet of flour. He then returned to the house with a shopping bag of rice and a bottle of juice," Wairimu said.
Kiprop was later seen standing outside talking on his mobile phone for a long time. He only went back inside when he realised the guard was still awake.
"At some point, Kevin came out, signalled to the guard and collapsed on the ground. The guard rushed over but didn't immediately realise that Kevin had been stabbed," Ms Wairimu added.
