Years after the dramatic arrests, the case continues to make its way through the courts as prosecutors seek to prove that a wife allegedly plotted to have her husband killed in order to gain control of the family's wealth.
According to court documents and investigators, Bilhah Njoki Mwangi and her husband, Joseph Muraya Mwangi, had built what many considered an enviable life together.
According to court documents and investigators, Bilhah Njoki Mwangi and her husband, Joseph Muraya Mwangi, had built what many considered an enviable life together.
The couple jointly operated a successful electronics business along Nairobi's busy Luthuli Avenue, a commercial hub known for electronics trading. Joseph also held a stable job as a ground traffic controller at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport under the Kenya Airports Authority.
Their combined income enabled them to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. They owned a house in Buruburu Phase 5, drove good vehicles, and were raising two young children. Bilhah was often seen driving a black Toyota Harrier, symbolizing the family's financial success.
However, investigators claim that behind the image of prosperity, serious marital problems had begun to emerge. After nearly nine years together, disagreements over finances, trust, and allegations of infidelity reportedly strained the relationship beyond repair.
In March 2016, prosecutors say Bilhah left the matrimonial home, leaving behind the couple's two children, who were then aged five and eight. She allegedly moved to Umoja, where investigators claim she began living with her alleged lover, Jimmy Ndung'u Waititu.
Rather than seeking a legal separation or divorce, detectives allege Bilhah chose a far more sinister path. Investigators believe she wanted complete control of the family's business, property, and other assets, leading to an alleged plan to eliminate her husband permanently.
According to police investigations, Bilhah allegedly enlisted the help of Jimmy, her sister Lucy Waitherero, and her brother Peter Mwangi Gakungi to organize Joseph's murder. Authorities claim the group recruited hired killers and negotiated a payment of KSh500,000 for the job.
Investigators allege that an initial deposit of KSh100,000 was paid to the suspected hitmen, with a promise that the remaining KSh400,000 would be handed over after Joseph had been killed.
Police further claim that the suspects closely monitored Joseph's movements for several weeks. Detectives say they tracked his daily routine, including his travel routes, work schedule, and regular activities as they allegedly prepared to execute the murder plan.
Unknown to the alleged conspirators, detectives from the then Buruburu Directorate of Criminal Investigations had reportedly received confidential intelligence warning that Joseph's life was in danger.
Instead of immediately arresting those involved, investigators decided to launch a covert operation aimed at gathering stronger evidence that could withstand scrutiny in court.
Joseph was informed about the alleged assassination plot and agreed to cooperate fully with detectives. Police say he voluntarily shared details about his vehicle, communication, and daily schedule to assist investigators in monitoring the suspects' activities.
Authorities say the murder had allegedly been planned for June 22, 2016. However, detectives intervened a day earlier and arrested the suspected hired killers before they could allegedly carry out the attack.
The investigation did not end there.
Detectives allegedly devised an elaborate undercover operation designed to identify and arrest those believed to have financed the alleged murder.
According to investigators, officers used the arrested suspects' mobile phones to send messages to Bilhah claiming that Joseph had already been murdered and that his body had been dumped in Nairobi's Dandora area.
To make the deception appear convincing, detectives allegedly staged a fake crime scene using a life-sized dummy dressed in Joseph's clothing. Photographs of the dummy were then reportedly sent to Bilhah as evidence that the killing had been completed.
Police claim Bilhah believed the photographs were genuine.
Investigators allege that she immediately withdrew the remaining KSh400,000, which prosecutors say was intended as the final payment to the alleged hitmen.
According to detectives, Bilhah then drove toward Umoja accompanied by her sister Lucy Waitherero to meet those she believed had completed the assignment. Police further allege that officers found a bottle of wine inside her vehicle, claiming it was intended for celebrations after the alleged mission.
Detectives say they moved in moments after her vehicle stopped near Mama Lucy Hospital, arresting Bilhah before any payment could be made. Officers reportedly recovered the KSh400,000 that investigators allege was meant to settle the balance for the planned killing.
Shortly afterward, Jimmy Ndung'u Waititu and Peter Mwangi Gakungi were also arrested as part of the investigation. All four suspects were later arraigned before the Makadara Law Courts, where they faced charges linked to the alleged conspiracy to murder Joseph.
During court proceedings, Joseph expressed fears for his safety, telling the court that he believed his life remained at risk despite the arrests. Nevertheless, the accused persons were granted bail as the criminal proceedings continued.
The case has remained one of Nairobi's most sensational alleged murder-for-hire investigations, with court proceedings continuing as the accused persons maintain their innocence while prosecutors seek to prove the allegations before the court. Under Kenyan law, all accused persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of law.
Their combined income enabled them to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. They owned a house in Buruburu Phase 5, drove good vehicles, and were raising two young children. Bilhah was often seen driving a black Toyota Harrier, symbolizing the family's financial success.
However, investigators claim that behind the image of prosperity, serious marital problems had begun to emerge. After nearly nine years together, disagreements over finances, trust, and allegations of infidelity reportedly strained the relationship beyond repair.
In March 2016, prosecutors say Bilhah left the matrimonial home, leaving behind the couple's two children, who were then aged five and eight. She allegedly moved to Umoja, where investigators claim she began living with her alleged lover, Jimmy Ndung'u Waititu.
Rather than seeking a legal separation or divorce, detectives allege Bilhah chose a far more sinister path. Investigators believe she wanted complete control of the family's business, property, and other assets, leading to an alleged plan to eliminate her husband permanently.
According to police investigations, Bilhah allegedly enlisted the help of Jimmy, her sister Lucy Waitherero, and her brother Peter Mwangi Gakungi to organize Joseph's murder. Authorities claim the group recruited hired killers and negotiated a payment of KSh500,000 for the job.
Investigators allege that an initial deposit of KSh100,000 was paid to the suspected hitmen, with a promise that the remaining KSh400,000 would be handed over after Joseph had been killed.
Police further claim that the suspects closely monitored Joseph's movements for several weeks. Detectives say they tracked his daily routine, including his travel routes, work schedule, and regular activities as they allegedly prepared to execute the murder plan.
Unknown to the alleged conspirators, detectives from the then Buruburu Directorate of Criminal Investigations had reportedly received confidential intelligence warning that Joseph's life was in danger.
Instead of immediately arresting those involved, investigators decided to launch a covert operation aimed at gathering stronger evidence that could withstand scrutiny in court.
Joseph was informed about the alleged assassination plot and agreed to cooperate fully with detectives. Police say he voluntarily shared details about his vehicle, communication, and daily schedule to assist investigators in monitoring the suspects' activities.
Authorities say the murder had allegedly been planned for June 22, 2016. However, detectives intervened a day earlier and arrested the suspected hired killers before they could allegedly carry out the attack.
The investigation did not end there.
Detectives allegedly devised an elaborate undercover operation designed to identify and arrest those believed to have financed the alleged murder.
According to investigators, officers used the arrested suspects' mobile phones to send messages to Bilhah claiming that Joseph had already been murdered and that his body had been dumped in Nairobi's Dandora area.
To make the deception appear convincing, detectives allegedly staged a fake crime scene using a life-sized dummy dressed in Joseph's clothing. Photographs of the dummy were then reportedly sent to Bilhah as evidence that the killing had been completed.
Police claim Bilhah believed the photographs were genuine.
Investigators allege that she immediately withdrew the remaining KSh400,000, which prosecutors say was intended as the final payment to the alleged hitmen.
According to detectives, Bilhah then drove toward Umoja accompanied by her sister Lucy Waitherero to meet those she believed had completed the assignment. Police further allege that officers found a bottle of wine inside her vehicle, claiming it was intended for celebrations after the alleged mission.
Detectives say they moved in moments after her vehicle stopped near Mama Lucy Hospital, arresting Bilhah before any payment could be made. Officers reportedly recovered the KSh400,000 that investigators allege was meant to settle the balance for the planned killing.
Shortly afterward, Jimmy Ndung'u Waititu and Peter Mwangi Gakungi were also arrested as part of the investigation. All four suspects were later arraigned before the Makadara Law Courts, where they faced charges linked to the alleged conspiracy to murder Joseph.
During court proceedings, Joseph expressed fears for his safety, telling the court that he believed his life remained at risk despite the arrests. Nevertheless, the accused persons were granted bail as the criminal proceedings continued.
The case has remained one of Nairobi's most sensational alleged murder-for-hire investigations, with court proceedings continuing as the accused persons maintain their innocence while prosecutors seek to prove the allegations before the court. Under Kenyan law, all accused persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of law.
