The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has revealed that Esther Wairimu Keige, the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Legal Services Manager, had been quietly battling depression before her death.
In a statement, DCI revealed that investigations had established that Keige, was undergoing treatment for the condition at the time she went missing.
According to the DCI, further inquiries showed that this was not the first time her mental health struggles had led her away from home unexpectedly.
“During the course of investigations, it was established that the deceased had been battling depression and was undergoing treatment. Further inquiries also revealed that she had previously disappeared from home on three separate occasions before eventually returning safely,” the authority stated.
Keige was reported missing on June 10 after her driver dropped her off at the Shell petrol station in Juja, near Senate Hotel, where she had reportedly intended to inquire about gym services.
Her disappearance triggered an extensive search operation involving multiple investigative teams and partner security agencies.
Detectives reviewed CCTV footage, analysed mobile phone data, conducted forensic examinations, interviewed witnesses and carried out intelligence-led operations in a bid to trace her movements.
However, because of the decomposed state of the deceased’s body, a post-mortem examination failed to establish the cause of her death.
According to the authorities, Keige’s mobile phone was recovered at the scene intact but switched off, while her shoes had been removed and placed beside her body.
Despite an inconclusive post mortem, the DCI maintained that all possible lines of inquiry remain open, including homicide, pending the outcome of the forensic tests.
It further appealed to members of the public with information about Keige’s movements between June 10 and the recovery of her body to come forward as investigations continue.
