In Piave, Njoro, fear has gripped residents after a series of chilling murders left the community questioning whether a serial killer could be on the loose.

Over the past two months, at least three people have been killed and their bodies recovered in river Ndarugu around Kenyatta area.

For locals, the silence from leaders is just as frightening as the killings themselves.

In an interview with Mtaa Wangu a resident from Sunrise, Josephine Kairu, alias Mama Njoki says three bodies in less than two months is one too many.

A resident from Sunrise, Josephine Kairu, alias Mama Njoki laments how insecurity has affected them in Njoro on September 2, 2025.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

Mama Njoki, explains that it started with Shosho Salome being raped and killed in her house in July. Shortly after, James Mwangi’s body was recovered from River Ndarugu.

In August, Mercy Wambui was sexually assaulted, killed and dumped in the river while Dorcas Nyabuto’s body was recovered from the river. Police ruled the last case a suicide.

Mama Njoki however says fear has forced women to change their routines, often waiting for one another at Kenyatta Center before walking home in groups.

“Students who should be in class by 6:00 am now wait until daybreak, missing out on remedial lessons because parents will not risk sending them out in the dark. Our children are falling behind in school while others continue learning. This is not just about fear, it’s also about their future,” Mama Njoki laments.

The violence, according to another resident Dickson Ogamba, has taken an even more disturbing turn, with reports of women being raped and men sodomized.

Dickson Ogamba in an interview on September 2, during an interview on the insecurity status in Njoro on September 2,2025.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

“These deaths have unearthed gory incidents where young men are speaking up on how they have been sodomized. For fear of victimization, they had stayed silent on the matter. If these killings don’t push leaders to act, then what will?” Ogamba angrily asks.

With all said, the loudest outcry from residents is directed at elected women leaders, whom they accuse of abandoning the very people they claim to represent.

“We have a woman MCA, a woman MP, a Woman Rep, even a female Senator and Governor. Yet not one of them has come here to stand with us,” Mama Njoki says bitterly.

Echoing her sentiments, Stanley Wamugunda notes that the silence feels like betrayal. He says at a time when women were walking in fear, they expected female leaders to stand at the forefront of demanding justice and protection.

Stanley Wamugunda laments how neglected the residents as insecurity rises in Njoro raises concerns of a serial killer. Photo taken on September 2,2025.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

Instead, their absence has left the community angry, confused, and desperate for answers.

“None of them came to the burials to condole with us. However, as we continue to bury our dead, the leaders must break their silence, and security agencies must act before more lives are lost,” he concludes.

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Bret Sanya