The disappearance of Lydia Tokesi, a Moi University graduate, has ended in tragedy after a mutilated body believed to be hers was discovered in Gataka Forest, Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County.
Lydia had been missing for a week, and detectives pursuing the case hoped to reunite her with her family. Instead, they were called to a crime scene that confirmed their worst fears.
The body, found in a decomposed state, was preliminarily identified as Lydia’s, though her family insists on a DNA test to remove any doubt.
The gruesome discovery revealed missing body parts and wounds indicating severe torture before her death.
“We are waiting for the DNA process to help identify the body,” said Lydia’s brother, Daniel Shikoli. He called on a key suspect, Joseph Philip Orwa, to come forward and assist with investigations.
Joseph Orwa, a longtime boyfriend of Lydia, has become the prime suspect in the murder. The two had dated for over eight years, starting during their time at Moi University.
Investigators uncovered evidence suggesting their relationship had become strained.
The Timeline
Lydia was last seen visiting Joseph at his Ongata Rongai residence on January 4th, shortly before she was reported missing.
Police searched the house, recovering crucial evidence, including several SIM cards, Lydia’s clothes and shoes, alcohol bottles, and a love letter detailing their troubled relationship.
Adding to the complexity of the case, Lydia had reportedly taken a bank loan to purchase a vehicle for Joseph, who used it as a taxi.
After her disappearance, the car was found abandoned near her parents’ home, with bloodstains inside, but Joseph was nowhere to be found.
Investigation into Lydia Tokesi murder
A multi-agency team of detectives from Nairobi, Ongata Rongai, and Dagoretti North has intensified the search for Joseph, who is believed to hold critical answers.
The team is combing through CCTV footage, interviewing persons of interest, and analyzing digital data to piece together the events leading to Lydia’s murder.
The circumstances surrounding the case have left Lydia’s family and the community in shock. Known as a reserved and diligent individual, Lydia was the only daughter in her family.
Her death has not only devastated her loved ones but also raised concerns about intimate partner violence and the dangers it poses.
As the investigation unfolds, the search for justice for Lydia Tokesi continues. Detectives are determined to bring the perpetrator to account for the heinous act that ended her promising life.
