Nicholas Julius Macharia, popularly known as Beba Beba, is in police custody after allegedly murdering a young girl named Tamara, who had been reported missing in Nyeri. The incident has shocked the community, as Macharia was a familiar face to the family and reportedly even helped Tamara’s mother transport goods within the local Open Air Market.
Tamara, last seen at the market wearing a brown sweater and maroon trousers, was well-known in the area. Raised in the market environment alongside her mother, she often interacted with vendors, including Macharia. According to residents, it was not unusual to see him walking with the child, sometimes even running errands together.
On the day Tamara disappeared, a search was launched immediately after she failed to return home. A concerned resident who remembered seeing her with Macharia confronted him, but he denied any knowledge, repeating his denial multiple times. His suspicious behavior raised alarms, and CCTV footage later confirmed he was the last person seen with the girl.
Under police interrogation, Macharia allegedly led officers to his house in Majengo, where Tamara’s body was discovered buried in a shallow grave. A jembe (hoe) and freshly dug soil confirmed the community’s worst fears.
According to locals, Macharia went about his business the following day as though nothing had happened and even asked Tamara’s mother if she had been found.
The revelation sparked outrage among residents, with many demanding justice for Tamara. Community members condemned the failure of societal systems to protect vulnerable children and called on authorities to ensure such cases are met with swift justice. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is now handling the case.
