Video deepens mystery of Zeituni's last moments

The mystery surrounding the death a domestic worker at an apartment in Kilimani, Nairobi, deepened as a gruesome video on her last moments surfaced.

Yesterday, family members, friends and relatives demanded justice for Zeituni Kavaya, as colleague workers protested.

The amateur video shows Kavaya hanging onto the grills on a third-floor balcony at the Mpuuga Gardens apartments with one hand. 

The demonstrators dismissed suggestions that she took her own life, insisting that she was murdered.

These protesters marched from Kibera to Mpuuga Gardens, Kilimani Police Station, and the City Mortuary, where her body lies.

“Are our mothers really safe? They wake up in the morning, go and hustle only to be killed. What is surprising is that this happened next to a police station. If indeed she stole the money in question, why didn’t they bring her to the police station and report?” one protester said.

According to her colleague, Jane Musembi, Kavaya had been asked by her employer to report to work alone on the day she died.

“I was working with the late Zeituni on (September) 17th. After work, the boss asked us that the following day, only Zeituni was to report to work. She tried convincing him that work in his house was a lot and could not be done by one person, but the boss refused. That night, he still called and insisted that the following day she comes alone,” she said.

She narrated how Kavaya's daughter called her on the evening of the following day, saying the mother had not returned home.

"When she called her phone, someone else picked and said Zeituni was in Kilimani Police Station. On Friday, we were told she was no more. I want justice to be served. We normally come the two of us, why did he refuse we come together?”

Kavaya's brother, Bakari Mohamed, said the family was struggling to accept the death, pleading with the government and well-wishers to help them get justice.

“My sister did not kill herself. She was a single mum, she brought up all her kids alone. Now she is gone, where are we going to start?” 

Her daughter, Faith Kavaya, also disputed claims of suicide.

“She had already left work before she was called back by the son of her boss. She was very obedient, that is why she agreed to go back, then she unfortunately met her death,” said Faith.

Kilimani OCPD Patricia Yegon assured protesters that investigations were active.

“Justice will be served and Zeituni will get justice. Those who will be found culpable will be held accountable in accordance with the law. So far, four people are in custody,” he said.

According to Edith Murugu, the Executive Director of the Centre for Domestic Training and Development, the incident is a serious violation of worker safety.

“Someone who left her home in perfect health went to work doing decent work, believing she had an opportunity to take care of her children, was not able to return home safely. Domestic workers labour in very unprotected environments. Zeituni’s case is a clear example that we need to strengthen protections so that they can be safe at the workplace,” he said.

Meanwhile, the suspects’ lawyer has dismissed the murder narrative. Prof Hassan Nandwa maintained that Kavaya climbed the balcony on her own.

“On Thursday she finished her work at 3pm, received her pay, and left. She was also given some foodstuff by the family. Shortly afterward, she was recalled by the son of the house, Hassan, who claimed Sh5,000 was missing from one of the clothes she had washed,” he said.

The lawyer claimed she returned without the bag she had left with.

"During the questioning, she denied taking the money. When they threatened to take her to the police, she attempted to escape through the balcony. She managed to descend from the fifth floor to the fourth floor, but when she tried to reach the third floor, she found the balcony closed with grills and window panes. She clung to the metal bars for about 15 minutes before falling. Unfortunately, she died from the fall,” he said.