Actress and former TV host Regina Wambui Gitau, known as Regina Re, will stay in custody for 10 days. Three relatives will be held with her. The four will remain at Gigiri Police Station while detectives investigate the killing of her 86-year-old mother, Dorita Lasinder Macharia. The Eastleigh Voice named the suspects as Regina Wambui Macharia Gitao, Thandie Malaika Wanjiku Gitao, Immanuel Walgwe Munyeki and Alton Jimmy Macharia. They are being investigated for murder and have not been charged or convicted.
Detectives had asked for 15 days. According to Kenyans.co.ke, Magistrate Barbara Akinyi granted 10, saying the probe was at an early and sensitive stage. Police told the court that releasing the suspects could put the investigation at risk, including through contact with witnesses.
Investigating officer Police Constable David Njoroge told the court that the woman was found dead in her house at Loresho Ridge Estate on the night of October 30, the Eastleigh Voice reported. She had a deep cut on the left side of her neck. Police say she had earlier argued with her granddaughter, Thandie, after finding her in her bedroom with her boyfriend, Alton. She ordered her granddaughter to leave and hand over the room keys. She then called her son, Jimmy, to help.
According to the police account, Thandie left but later returned and stayed with the elderly woman for about an hour. The woman was then found in a pool of blood. Thandie allegedly ran outside screaming "She is bleeding!" to friends waiting there. The four were arrested at about 2am on October 31. Kenyans.co.ke also reported police claims that the actress and her brother were caught cleaning the room where the killing happened.
Defence lawyers opposed the detention. They said their clients had already recorded statements and handed over their phones. They also questioned how the arrests were carried out and said the suspects' constitutional rights must be protected. Police told the court the suspects had offered information that could lead to other alleged accomplices who are still at large.
Regina Re became known as Hope Baraka in Makutano Junction, playing the show's first female chief and MP. She also co-created and hosted KTN's game show Who's Smarter Now? from 1999 to 2006, Kenyans.co.ke reported.