The foreign national who was arrested at JKIA in connection to the brutal murder and dismemberment of 20-year-old student Rita Waeni has been released after witnesses failed to identify him as the killer.

According to witnesses, including the owner of the Airbnb, the suspect spoke Swahili when he called her. The family of the victim shared the same sentiments, saying the suspect spoke Swahili during their interactions while also demanding the Ksh 500000 ransom.

PHOTO | COURTESY Rita Waeni

They also said he appeared young, light, and well-versed in the area.

The witnesses apprehended near the crime scene will be detained for ten days while police investigate the death of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture Technology student Rita Waeni Muendo.

They were charged Wednesday as police sought custody orders against them for failing to take the killer's records at the Green House Apartments as required by law.

PHOTO | COURTESY The suspects

The suspect was arrested at JKIA while traveling on a Mozambican passport and interrogated at the airport before being sent to the Kasarani Police Station for identification.

The suspect arrested at the airport did not speak Swahili and had been staying in south C.

The murdered woman was identified as Rita Waeni by her family, who claimed that their kin said she was meeting up with her cousin. She traveled from Athi River to Roysambu to have dinner with the would-be murderer.

PHOTO | COURTESY the remains of Rita Waeni

The Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) condemned the barbaric murder and urged the government to safeguard women and girls in the wake of growing Gender Based Violence (GBV).

FIDA, which has estimated that ten women have been slain similarly in the last year, stated that security services must thoroughly investigate the circumstances behind the deaths.