Phyllis Nzula Mbithi, the prime suspect in the murder of hair stylist Jeniffer Mwende (aka Jane), was arrested last night in Kitengela town after weeks of relentless manhunt by crime research detectives.
The case of a fatal love triangle brought Phyllis’ name to the limelight after it emerged that she had threatened Mwende regarding a married man they were both seeing.
Mwende’s brother reported her disappearance to the police on August 29, 2023.
After days of fruitless search, the case was forwarded to the DCI, where fresh investigations were instituted and statements recorded from various persons of interest.
Forensic analysis revealed a non-coincidental disappearance but a well-orchestrated plot to end her life, mastered by the prime suspect and aided by two other women.
Detectives unraveled that Phyllis used a female neighbor identified as Faith Nthenya to lure Mwende to her death trap through a phone call, indicating that some clients were seeking her services at a house she (Mwende) would be directed to.
Once inside, Mwende was subdued by the two women before Phyllis called a third woman, Evelyne Wanza Katumbu, the wife to the man entangled in the affair, Januaris Musau Mulwa.
Wanza had become protective of her man and was accusing Phyllis of snatching him away.
To save her skin, Phyllis plotted the luring of Mwende whom she new was her fellow paramour to Musau, and called the wife pointing fingers at the defenceless woman.
Interrogations on Wanza and Faith, who had since been arrested, indicated that Phyllis planned to have the body sneaked out of the compound to a forest by an unknown taxi driver, but the plan failed due to lacking the key to the main gate through which the car was to enter.
They resorted to dumping the body into the pit latrine.
Phyllis, who remained on police radar, escaped to Mombasa and Kibwezi before her interception and arrest last night.
Her arraignment is scheduled for Monday, October 30, where she will join her accomplices Faith and Wanza who pleaded to murder charges earlier yesterday.
