“Nilipoona mwili wake, nguvu uliniishia.”

These were the sentiments of Eunice Mideva, the mother of Vivian Kajaya, 22-year-old Mount Kenya University student, who was found dead in Kiamunyi on October 14.

Earlier that day, Eunice had identified the body of her daughter at the Nakuru County Mortuary, also known as 'Kwa Jack’.

Speaking to Mtaa Wangu during an interview at Salgaa police station, Eunice says that her daughter was her pride and joy and that being the first born she had all her hope vested on her.

Eunice Mideva, mother of Vivian Kajaya, breaks down during a press briefing on October 16, 2024.

Photo credit: BRET SANYA/MTAA WANGU

“Our family resides in Kawangware in Nairobi County and I sell roasted maize as a means to provide for our family. My daughter always told me she will do her very best to provide a better life for us. Utaacha kuuza mahindi hapa ukinyeshewa, nitakufungulia biashara” says Eunice as she sobs heavily.

The family was at the station to receive an update on the ongoing investigations into the murder of the university student whose body was dumped in a maize plantation.

Vivian was a third-year student at the Mount Kenya University pursuing a course in Social Works and Administration.

“All through her life, she has been a smart child and she had set the pace for her two younger brothers, who looked up to her and emulated her. I did my very best to come up with money required for her upkeep. The fact that she was a government sponsored student really helped in cutting the cost of her school fees,” she says.

Evelyne Imbosa, the aunt to the late Vivian Kajaya, pleads for speedy investigations into the murder of her niece.

“Seeing the lifeless body of my niece lying in the mortuary really broke my heart. I would really like to know what really happened to her. She did not have any external wounds and it is still unclear what the cause of death is,” she says.

As for Eunice, she says she is unable to pay the amount that is required to carry out the autopsy.

“The amount needed to carry out the autopsy is between sh. 10,000 to sh. 15000 and honestly, I am not sure I will be able to come up with that amount of money at the moment. I am pleading for any assistance that can be sent my way, to enable me to know what really led to the death of my daughter,” she says.

Vivian Kajaya had boarded a matatu from Thika to Nakuru on October 12 and was found dead on October 14.

Mtaa Wangu cannot immediately confirm why she had taken the trip to Nakuru.

The police say investigations are still ongoing.

Autopsy report: Vivian Kajaya died painful death

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Bret Sanya