Court grants police 10 days to detain actress Regina Re, three relatives over 86-year-old mother’s murder

Court grants police 10 days to detain actress Regina Re, three relatives over 86-year-old mother’s murder - Actress Regina Re and three relatives have been detained for 10 days as detectives investigate the murder of her 86-year-old mother in Loresho. (Photo: Courtesy)

Detectives had sought 15 days to investigate the killing of Dorita Lasinder Macharia, who was found with a deep neck wound inside her Loresho home.

A Nairobi court has allowed detectives to detain actress and former TV host Regina Wambui Gitau, popularly known as Regina Re, and three relatives for 10 days as investigations continue into the murder of her 86-year-old mother in Loresho.

The four suspects appeared before the High Court at Kibera Law Courts on Monday, November 2, 2026, after detectives sought more time to complete investigations into the killing of Dorita Lasinder Macharia.

The suspects are Regina Wambui Macharia Gitao, Thandie Malaika Wanjiku Gitao, Immanuel Walgwe Munyeki and Alton Jimmy Macharia.

In an application filed through the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), detectives based at Gigiri had initially sought 15 days to hold the suspects at Gigiri Police Station.

Investigating officer Police Constable David Njoroge told the court that the deceased was found murdered inside her house at Loresho Ridge Estate on the night of October 30, 2026, with a deep cut wound on the left side of her neck.

According to the investigator, preliminary investigations established that the deceased had disagreed with her granddaughter, Thandie, after allegedly finding her in a compromising situation with her boyfriend, Alton, inside her bedroom.

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The elderly woman reportedly became angry and ordered her granddaughter to leave the residence and surrender the room keys. She also directed several friends who were allegedly present in the house to leave.

Police told the court that following the disagreement, the deceased called her son, Jimmy, to help evict her granddaughter.

Although Thandie initially left the house, she allegedly returned later and remained inside with the deceased for approximately one hour.

Njoroge told the court that the elderly woman was subsequently found lying in a pool of blood, while her granddaughter allegedly rushed outside screaming, "She is bleeding!" to friends who were waiting outside.

The four suspects were arrested at approximately 2am on October 31 and taken to Gigiri Police Station.

Detectives argued that they needed additional time to analyse CCTV footage retrieved from the estate, conduct forensic examinations, obtain fingerprints and mobile phone call data records, and record statements from key witnesses.

They also intend to have a government pathologist conduct a postmortem examination before forwarding the investigation file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for directions.

The investigating officer further told the court that the suspects had indicated their willingness to provide information that could lead to the arrest of other alleged accomplices who remain at large.

Police maintained that releasing the suspects before investigations were completed could compromise efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing.

The court granted detectives 10 days to detain the four suspects as investigations continue.

The suspects are being investigated for murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code. They have not been convicted of the offence.