Kiambu Bar Worker Found Dead in Lodging Room; Two Arrested as Police Investigate

Detectives in Lari, Kiambu County, have launched an investigation into the death of a 27-year-old woman found dead inside a lodging after reportedly entering the premises with a man during the night.

The deceased, identified as Zawadi Mwathi, worked at a bar located within the same building as the lodging. According to police reports, she had been serving customers before reportedly disappearing at around 10:30 p.m. Her sudden absence raised concern among some customers, prompting them to search the building — a search that eventually led them to one of the lodging rooms, where they discovered her body.

Responding officers found Zawadi lying on a bed, with her hands and neck allegedly tied using pieces of cloth, and her clothes scattered around the room. The condition of the room has raised suspicion among investigators that a struggle may have taken place before her death, though detectives have not yet determined the exact circumstances or established what occurred inside the room.

Crime scene officers processed the lodging, collecting and documenting material to help reconstruct the sequence of events. Zawadi's body was subsequently taken to the City Mortuary, where it is being preserved pending a postmortem examination expected to provide further clarity on the cause and circumstances of her death.

Police have arrested two people who are currently being questioned as part of the investigation. Detectives are also working to identify and locate the man reportedly seen entering the lodging with Zawadi on the night she died. Authorities have not disclosed the identities of the two suspects in custody, nor confirmed whether any charges have been filed.

The investigation remains active, with detectives continuing to interview witnesses and analyse evidence as they work to establish what happened to Zawadi and determine accountability for her death.