Kasarani Earns Deadly New Reputation

The death of Joseph Kubende, a well known political mobilizer from Bungoma, in Nairobi’s Kasarani estate, is the latest in a string of controversial deaths changing the reputation of the city neighborhood.

Kubende fell from the fourth floor of a building on Lumumba Drive and was rushed to  Radiant Hospital, where he succumbed to serious injuries. His death was confirmed on Friday, March 24. Police are investigating claims of suicide.

The incident comes amid widespread outrage and heated debate over the death of 23-year Jeff Mwathi, who also fell from Mugithi artist DJ Fatxo’s apartment in the area, after a night out with friends. His death was also initially reported as a suicide but his family claimed foul play, prompting Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to order police to investigate the matter.

A section of Members of Parliament on March 23rd, including Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris protested what they termed as delays in arrests in the case, and held up pictures of Mwathi outside Parliament buildings.

There is also 29-year old Brenda Kawira, who died after falling 50 feet from an apartment building belonging to her boyfriend, entertainer DJ Dela. It was ruled a suicide, but the family says there was foul play citing signs of struggle at the scene.

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According to police, Kawira allegedly jumped off the fourth-floor balcony of an apartment building in Ngumba Estate, Kasarani, on  February 22, 2023.

Kawira’s friends and family, however, disputed the police account and called for DJ Dela’s arrest. The family questioned why DJ Dela’s clothes, the door handle, walls, and a mat were bloody, and why the balcony window was broken.

Kasarani has a total population of over 290,000 according to National Housing Survey data. Among landmarks in the area is the Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) Kasarani, and the constituency houses numerous families, individuals and businesses.

The wave of insecurity is earning it an unfortunate new reputation, with residents hoping authorities get to the bottom of cases.

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