The murder trial of University of Nairobi engineering student Mercy Kwamboka continued today at the Milimani High Court, where a Safaricom liaison officer detailed how mobile phone triangulation and call data analysis helped detectives trace and arrest the prime suspect, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officer Joseph Ngera Kamau.
Testifying before Justice Alexander Muteti, Safaricom liaison officer Jonathan Limo explained how investigators used forensic mobile phone data to place the suspect at key locations connected to the murder of the 3rd-year student in September 2024.
According to Limo, Safaricom call records from Mercy Kwamboka’s phone showed that she communicated with Kamau more than four times on the day preceding her disappearance and eventual murder. Investigators believe the two had connected through Facebook before meeting physically.
Investigations indicate that on the night of September 27 and 28, 2024, Kamau, a KDF officer attached to Embakasi Garrison allegedly picked up Mercy from her parents’ home in Pipeline, Embakasi, using his Mazda vehicle registration number KDA 796L.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) told the court that phone triangulation and forensic leads traced the suspect’s movements to the Komarock and Tononoka areas. Investigators established that Kamau drove the university student to his residence in Komarock shortly after picking her up.
According to the prosecution, a disagreement later erupted between the two while at the parking lot of Kamau’s residence. The confrontation allegedly turned violent, with Kamau assaulting Mercy, resulting in her death.
Detectives further stated that Kamau was the last known person to be in contact with Mercy before she disappeared. After the alleged killing, her body was reportedly dumped in a thicket in the Mwiki area along the Eastern Bypass.
The discovery of Mercy’s body shocked the nation and sparked outrage among students and human rights activists. Her body was found partially undressed and bearing injuries on the thighs, lower back, and left ankle, alongside signs of severe assault and acid burns. Detectives recovered several items at the scene, including a black blouse, a blanket, and a mobile phone.
Mercy had initially been reported missing on September 28, 2024, after she failed to return home following the meeting with the suspect. What began as a missing person search later turned into a homicide investigation after her body was discovered days later.
Kamau was subsequently arrested and charged with the murder of the University of Nairobi student. The prosecution informed the court that it has five witnesses remaining before closing its case.
The matter will proceed on June 17, 2026, for further hearing at the Milimani High Court before Justice Alexander Muteti.
