Ruiru ‘Vampire’ Arrested After Woman Raises Alarm Over Alleged Attack at Lodging
Residents who responded to her distress call said she pointed directly at the man as he attempted to leave the premises, pleading with the crowd not to let him escape.
Photo: Courtesy.
By Sonia Mitchel
Police in Ruiru have arrested a man believed to be the notorious suspect dubbed the “Ruiru Vampire” by residents, following a dramatic incident at a local lodging where a woman accused him of biting and assaulting her.
The suspect was apprehended on Saturday after the woman reportedly burst out of the lodging screaming for help, claiming the man had attacked her and bitten her on the lips. According to eyewitnesses, the woman appeared visibly shaken and distressed, with bleeding injuries to her mouth, prompting a crowd to quickly gather at the scene.
Residents who responded to her distress call said she pointed directly at the man as he attempted to leave the premises, pleading with the crowd not to let him escape.
“The woman came out screaming that she had been attacked and bitten. She had blood on her lips and was crying. We had to act fast to stop the man,” said one witness who was at the scene.
Members of the public restrained the suspect and alerted police officers who arrived shortly after and took him into custody.
Confirming the arrest, Ruiru Sub-County Police Commander Charles Kibathi said both the suspect and the complainant were taken to hospital for medical attention and documentation of injuries as part of ongoing investigations.
“We have arrested one suspect in connection with the incident reported at a lodging in Ruiru. Both the man and the woman were taken to hospital for treatment. Investigations are ongoing to establish the facts,” Kibathi said.
Police said detectives are now investigating whether the arrested man is linked to a string of bizarre attacks that have sparked fear and panic in Ruiru and the neighbouring Gitothua area over the past few weeks.
Residents have reported several incidents where pedestrians, particularly those walking home late at night, were allegedly accosted, bitten and in some cases robbed by an unknown assailant. The unusual nature of the attacks, where victims claimed they were bitten on the face, neck and other parts of the body, led to the moniker “Ruiru Vampire.”
Some of the alleged attacks were captured on CCTV cameras installed in residential areas and business premises. The footage, which circulated widely on social media platforms including WhatsApp and Facebook, showed individuals being attacked from behind in dimly lit alleys, fuelling anxiety and calls for increased night patrols.
For weeks, residents said they had been forced to change their movement patterns, with many avoiding walking alone at night and boda boda operators reporting reduced business during late hours.
Police have, however, cautioned the public against linking all reported cases to the arrested suspect before investigations are concluded.
“We appeal to members of the public to remain calm and allow investigators to do their work. It has not yet been conclusively established whether this individual is responsible for all the incidents that have been reported in Ruiru and Gitothua. We are following all leads,” police said.
Authorities have urged anyone who may have been a victim of similar attacks to record a statement at Ruiru Police Station to aid in investigations.
The suspect remains in police custody pending further interrogation, medical examination and possible arraignment in court.
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