Album Photo of the former police officer Cyprian Mukoye with wife. Photo/Courtesy
By Daisy Okiring
A Nairobi family is grappling with deep grief after 27-year-old Susan Nabwire was killed in her Pipeline estate home, allegedly by her husband, a former police officer. The killing, which occurred on the night of August 13, 2025, has shocked neighbors and relatives, leaving behind a one-year-old child now orphaned by the tragedy.
According to the family, the suspect, 44-year-old Cyprian Mukoye, had returned home in a foul mood and picked a quarrel with his wife. He allegedly demanded her phone, passwords, and M-Pesa PIN, accusing her of infidelity. When she refused, the situation escalated violently.
“They started arguing and he slapped Susan, asking for her cellphone. He then threatened her that if she wouldn’t give him the PIN, he would kill her,” recalled Philice Makokha, Nabwire’s mother.
A gruesome night of violence
Witnesses say that around 3 a.m., the suspect went to the bathroom and returned with an axe, striking Nabwire on the neck and leaving her with fatal injuries. Despite her pleas for mercy, he continued the assault until she collapsed.
The house help, who witnessed the attack, told investigators that the suspect then tied a rope around Nabwire’s neck and shoved her body under the bed. He later turned on the house help, threatening to kill her before sexually assaulting her.
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“He raped her and locked them in with the child and Susan’s body before fleeing,” Makokha added.
Police officers were later called to the scene and had to break down the door. Inside, they found Nabwire’s body alongside her child and the traumatized house help. The body was taken to Mama Lucy Hospital mortuary, where it is preserved.
Arrest and police investigation
Authorities confirmed that the suspect was arrested on Saturday and is currently being held at Embakasi Police Station as investigations continue. Police say he had been living as a casual laborer in Pipeline after leaving the police service.
Nabwire, on the other hand, worked as an M-Pesa agent at Machakos Country Bus in Nairobi. Family members say she was hardworking, devoted to her child, and had her future cut short in the most brutal way.
The case has sparked outrage and renewed concerns over rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) in Kenya. Neighbors described Nabwire as a friendly young woman who kept to herself and worked hard to support her family.
The family says the pain of losing their daughter is unbearable. “This is something that will haunt us forever. We are now left with her baby, who will grow up without a mother,” Makokha said tearfully.
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Growing concerns over domestic violence
This tragedy adds to a growing list of domestic violence cases being reported across Nairobi and other counties. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), cases of GBV rose significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic and have remained persistently high, with women and children bearing the greatest burden.
Advocates are calling for stronger enforcement of laws protecting women and children, as well as greater community support to prevent such incidents before they turn deadly.
Police have urged residents to report early warning signs of domestic disputes to avert similar tragedies.
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