BY OMOLO PAKISTAN: A postmortem examination has confirmed that gospel singer Rachel Wandeto tragically succumbed to severe burn injuries following a brutal attack in Nairobi’s Mwiki area.

The autopsy, conducted by Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor at the Nairobi Funeral Home, revealed that Wandeto sustained 85% burns across her body.

She later passed away while undergoing emergency treatment at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).

According to preliminary police reports, unknown individuals cornered Wandeto before setting her on fire.

While she was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, the severity of her injuries ultimately proved fatal.

During the postmortem exercise, forensic teams collected DNA samples to assist investigators in tracking down and identifying the perpetrators.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) homicide unit has officially taken over the case.

While detectives are pursuing multiple leads to establish a motive, no arrests have been made yet.

Wandeto’s horrific killing has sparked widespread public condemnation, reigniting fierce national debates surrounding insecurity and gender-based violence (GBV) in Kenya.

Civil society groups, human rights activists, religious leaders, and fellow musicians have united in demanding swift judicial action.

The tragedy has prompted renewed, urgent calls from activists for stronger institutional protections targeting violence against women.

Divisive Politics

The tragedy has also escalated into a major political talking point.

Speaking on Thursday, President William Ruto condemned tribal politics and hate-driven profiling, linking Wandeto’s killing directly to growing intolerance and ethnic hostility fueled by certain political factions.

Ruto warned that leaders promoting divisive rhetoric are actively endangering national unity, accusing unnamed politicians of branding those with differing views as “traitors.”

“The life of Rachel Wandeto will not go unanswered,” President Ruto stated adding that “You who call others traitors, mnaita wengine wasaliti mpaka mama Rachel Wandeto ameuawa kwa sababu ya chuki yenu (you call others traitors until Mama Rachel Wandeto is killed because of your hatred).”

The President closed his remarks with a stern warning, stating that the country will not tolerate a return to ethnic blackmail, and that those fueling division will be held strictly accountable.