Five South Sudanese Arrested After House Help Dies in Suspected Kilimani Murder

NAIROBI — Police are holding five South Sudanese nationals in connection with the death of a 55-year-old domestic worker who allegedly plunged to her death from a fifth-floor apartment in Kilimani under disputed circumstances.

The victim, Zeitun Kavayo, a longtime house help from Kibera, was reportedly summoned back to her employer’s apartment on September 18 over Sh5,000 said to have gone missing. Hours later, she was dead.

Kilimani OCPD Patricia Yegon confirmed that five suspects — a mother, her two daughters, and two sons  were arrested in connection with the incident.

They were arraigned at the Kibera Law Courts on Monday, where detectives secured a 10-day custodial order to complete investigations before returning to court on October 1.

A post-mortem conducted at City Mortuary indicated that Zeitun died from multiple organ injuries caused by blunt force trauma consistent with a high fall.

While police initially suggested suicide, the victim’s family has strongly rejected the theory, insisting she was murdered.

Speaking from their home in Kibera, her daughter, Faith Kavayo, described her mother as a hardworking woman with no history of mental distress.

“They said she jumped after being accused of stealing, but that story doesn’t add up. My mother was innocent. If she had stolen, why would she return to the same house?” she asked tearfully.

Faith recounted how she became alarmed after her mother failed to return home as usual that evening.

When she called her phone at night, a man answered, telling her Zeitun was at Kilimani Police Station and could only be seen the next morning. Instead, she was later informed by a police chaplain that her mother had died.

The family has accused investigators of dragging their feet and possibly covering up for the suspects.

“Saying she killed herself over Sh5,000 is an insult,” said her brother, Bakari Lilumbi.

“She was strong, resilient, and a provider for her children and grandchildren. We want the truth.”

Zeitun’s employer’s family maintains that she leapt from the balcony after denying involvement in the missing cash.

But the victim’s relatives point to inconsistencies: the money was never recovered, she had expressed unease about reporting to work that day, and she was allegedly asked to work alone — an unusual arrangement.

The case has sparked outrage among rights advocates, who say it highlights the vulnerability of domestic workers in wealthy Nairobi estates.

As investigations continue, Zeitun’s family is calling on the government to ensure impartial inquiries and accountability. “We are demanding justice for our sister,” said Bakari.

The suspects remain in custody as detectives piece together what really happened in the Kilimani apartment that Thursday evening.