By Bonface Mulyungi

A postmortem examination has confirmed that gospel singer Rachel Wandeto died from severe burn injuries following an attack in Nairobi’s Mwiki area.

The postmortem conducted by Chief Government Pathologist Dr Johansen Oduor said Wandeto sustained 85 per cent burns on her body and succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital.

According to preliminary police reports, unknown individuals attacked Wandeto before setting her on fire. She was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, where she later died.

During the postmortem at the Nairobi Funeral Home, forensic teams collected DNA samples to assist investigators in identifying the perpetrators.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) homicide unit has assumed control of the case. No arrests have been made, and detectives are currently pursuing multiple leads to establish a motive.

The killing has sparked widespread public condemnation and renewed national debates regarding insecurity and gender-based violence (GBV) in Kenya.

Human rights activists, religious leaders, and musicians have publicly demanded swift judicial action, while civil society groups call for stronger protections against violence targeting women.

Family members and close friends described Rachel Wandeto as a humble and talented gospel singer whose life was cut short in a cruel and painful manner.

President William Ruto on Thursday condemned tribal politics and hate-driven profiling following the death of gospel artist Rachel Wandeto, warning that those fuelling division in the country will be held accountable.

Ruto linked Wandeto’s killing to growing intolerance and ethnic hostility in the country, saying leaders promoting divisive politics are endangering national unity.

“The life of Rachel Wandeto will not go unanswered. You who call others traitors, mnaita wengine wasaliti mpaka mama Rachel Wandeto ameuawa kwa sababu ya chuki yenu,” the President said.

Ruto claimed unnamed political leaders are profiling Kenyans and branding those with differing political views as traitors, warning that the country would not allow a return to ethnic divisions and blackmail.

“We will not allow anybody to divide our nation using ethnicity and hate. One day you will answer for the tribalism and hate you are spreading in Kenya,” he said.

He was speaking Thursday at Mama Ngina drive in Mombasa at the start of his development tour of the coastal region.