Nativity Mutindi, the main suspect in Shantel Nzembi’s murder to remain in custody for a week

Nativity Mutindi was arrested last week in connection to the murder of Shantel Nzembi. [Peterson Githaiga, Standard]

The main suspect in the murder of 8-year-old Shantel Nzembi, Nativity Mutindi Nthuku, will remain in police custody for eight more days.

This is after police investigating the murder asked a Kajiado court for more time to complete their investigations before the suspect takes a plea.

The suspect was arraigned in court alongside Patrick Muriithi, who is also a suspect in the case and is to be arraigned again on Tuesday, June 15. 

 On June 4, police nabbed 27-year old Nativity at Kitengela/Athi River border.

So far three other suspects, Lavington Otengo, 27, and Francis Mbuthia, 42, have been arrested for the kidnap and subsequent murder of the Grade Two pupil.

Otengo, a Boda Boda rider, was arrested on Wednesday, June 2, at Orata after he was allegedly found with a mobile phone police believe was used to demand ransom from the minor’s parents.

Mbuthia, who was arrested at Kiserian, is the owner of the ID used to register the line that received the ransom money. 

The body of Shantel Nzembi was found dumped in a thicket in the Orata area by a passerby who reported the matter at Kitengela police station.

Police officers who rushed to the scene found the body wrapped in a sack with multiple injuries.