The family of 20-year-old Mary Syombua Ngugi is heartbroken and angry two weeks after she was found dead in a short-stay apartment in Utawala.
Mary, a cheerful barber who worked at a salon in Utawala, Nairobi County, was allegedly discovered unconscious on 21 November 2025. She was rushed to a nearby Equity Afia Center but was declared dead on arrival.
According to the police, Mary’s boyfriend bought food and drinks, took her to a short-stay apartment located within Uncorn Apartments, then left for a while. When he came back, the door was locked. Unable to access the apartment, he called the caretaker, who helped open the door.
According to the police report, Mary was found unconscious and the alcohol bottle empty.
That is the story the family has been told.
Mary’s brother, Jack Ngugi, says the family is in the dark.
“Police called us to identify her body at the city mortuary, but since that day they have told us nothing. No arrest, no questioning of the boyfriend, the caretaker, or even the apartment owner. We feel they are hiding something,” Ngugi told Uzalendo News.
Ngugi said the first postmortem, which was slated for Tuesday, 2nd December, was done without the family’s knowledge, so they demanded a second one. The new report that came out on Wednesday, 3rd December, shows Mary had a bruise on the upper side of her head and bleeding inside the skull pressing on the brain.
However, the pathologists say they must wait for a few toxicology test results to know exactly what killed her.
Jack says his sister was healthy, hardworking.
“Mary was full of life. She was loved by everyone. We feel so devastated as a family. Someone must answer for this.”
The family has lost trust in Kayole Police Station and wants the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to take over the case.
Mary will be buried on Thursday, 5 December 2025. Her relatives have said they will not rest until the truth comes out and whoever is responsible faces justice.
We have contacted police officers privy to the investigations.
