02/05/2026
On 3 March 1975, JM Kariuki’s body was found by a Maasai herdsman at Olosho Oibor, a forest track near Ngong Hills, days after he had gone missing. The body showed signs of extreme violence, including missing fingers, gouged eyes, and missing teeth.
Although the discovery was reported at around 10:00 a.m., police took about a day to collect the body, which was later taken to the City Mortuary. At the time, Vice President Daniel arap Moi was accused of misleading Parliament by claiming Kariuki was in Zambia.
A 1975 parliamentary report linked several individuals to the killing, naming GSU commandant Ben Gethi among those suspected, alongside other security and political figures. Some names, including Mbiyu Koinange, were later removed from the final report.
In 1984, Ben Gethi allegedly met Kariuki’s family and gave a confession, saying he had been ordered to locate and hand over Kariuki to security officers, after which he was never seen alive again.
Kariuki was buried on 17 March 1975 at his Kanyamwi farm, attended by mourners including students, Mwai Kibaki, and others.
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