Rachel Muthoni Wandeto was a Kenyan gospel musician who suffered an acid attack which was allegedly linked to a tattoo she had of Kenya’s president William Ruto.^[1]

On 16 May 2026, it is alleged that 3 masked men ambushed Rachel around 11th Street near Obama Road in Mwiki, Kasarani while she way on her way heading home.^[2] The unidentified men accused Rachel of receiving money from the president whom she was a great supporter. In previous years, Rachel had composed music endorsing her support for William Ruto. It’s alleged that the attackers demanded money from Rachel.

Upon informing the attackers that she had no money, they dragged her to an excluded area where they started assaulting her. It is alleged that she was physically assaulted before dousing with a flammable liquid suspected to be petrol. The attackers then lit the flammable substance before fleeing the scene.^[3]

Well-wishers rescued Rachel and took her to Uhai Neema hospital in Mwiki for urgent medical intervention. However, due to the nature of the injuries, she was referred to Kenyatta National Hospital for further treatment.^[2] An autopsy report conducted by the government pathologist Johansen Oduor at the hospital concluded an 85% body surface burns that led to organ failure.

Rachel passed away on 18 May 2026 while receiving treatment at the Kenyatta National hospital.^[3]

The Directorate of Public prosecution (DPP) launched a manhunt for the suspect that led to the arrest of Josiah Njeru Njiru. The suspect was detained at the Makadara law courts and the detectives sought more time for further interrogation.^[4] The court granted the homicide unit a 10-day detention order to proceed with the investigation. The suspect, Josiah Njeru was identified as a taxi driver who frequently ferried Rachel, with suspicion that the attack could have probably been linked with possible financial extortion motives. The interior cabinet secretary and the inspector general of police visited Rachel at the KNH and condemned the attack.^[5] They promised that the perpetrators would face full legal consequences. President William Ruto also condemned the attack and demanded the hunting down of the criminals who committed the heinous act.^[6] He warned of dangerous divisive ethnic politics and stated that his administration would not allow intimidation based of individual political beliefs. He further proceeded to support the family with 1.6 million Kenya shillings to facilitate funeral preparations.^[7]

Rachel’s burial that was scheduled to happen on 28 May 2026 did not take place after her husband stopped the event through a court order.^[8] There was a standoff at the Montezuma Funeral Home where family and relatives had gathered to collect her body when the facility did not release it due to a missing permit on claims that Peter Njaramba, Rachel’s husband had disappeared with it.^[9] Allegedly, the dispute arose as Rachel’s husband sought to bury her at his home in Murang’a while her family claimed that he had not yet paid traditional dowry, thus they could not recognize him as her husband based on the Kikuyu traditions.^[10]