Nairobi, October 15, 2025 — Kenya is still reeling from a tragedy that unfolded at one of the country’s most protected compounds. A presidential guard, Ramadhan Hamisi Matanka, was killed in a violent confrontation outside State House Nairobi on Monday, October 14. The suspect, Kithuka Kimunyi, 56, is now in custody as investigators work to understand what led to one of the most unsettling breaches in recent years.
The Morning of the Attack
According to police reports, Kimunyi approached the main gate to State House early that morning dressed in tattered clothes and carrying a small bag. He appeared disoriented and was initially mistaken for a homeless man seeking help. When officers questioned him he suddenly drew a bow and arrow and attacked.
Matanka was struck and stabbed before other guards managed to overpower the assailant. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic as security officers fought to restrain the attacker while calling for backup.
Emergency responders arrived minutes later but Matanka was pronounced dead on arrival at a nearby hospital. His colleagues stood in silence as the flag at the compound was lowered to half-mast in his honor.
Police recovered a crude weapon, a notebook and pieces of clothing that investigators say may hold clues about Kimunyi’s state of mind. When questioned he reportedly told officers that he had been “sent by the devil.”
Inside the Courtroom
On Thursday, October 16, Kimunyi appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Christine Njagi at the Milimani Law Courts. He limped into court with a bandaged leg, an injury sustained during his arrest. The prosecution led by Chief Prosecutor Daniel Mwaura requested 14 days to complete investigations while the accused underwent a mental health evaluation and received medical attention.
Magistrate Njagi approved the request and directed that the suspect be held at the Industrial Area Remand Prison under police supervision.
After the hearing, Prosecutor Mwaura told journalists, “This case is sensitive because it touches both national security and mental health. We are working to determine motive and whether the suspect acted alone.”
Kimunyi’s lawyer said his client appeared confused and unable to follow court proceedings. He added that Kimunyi had been living in unstable conditions in Nairobi and may have been struggling with untreated mental illness.
The Fallen Officer
Within the General Service Unit (GSU), the death of Ramadhan Hamisi Matanka has left a deep wound. He had served in the presidential protection unit for more than six years and was known among his peers as calm and dependable.
“He was disciplined and loyal,” said one of his colleagues. “He loved his job and often volunteered for extra duties. His death broke many of us.”
At his home in Kwale County, relatives described him as a family pillar and a source of hope. His burial plans are ongoing with the government expected to accord him full honors.
Matanka’s passing has reignited conversations about the mental and emotional toll faced by officers who serve in high-risk environments.
The Mind of a Suspect
Investigators are working to piece together who Kithuka Kimunyi is and what led him to the gates of power armed with a weapon. Preliminary findings show he may have lived on the streets near Upper Hill for several months. He had no stable job or known close family ties.
Psychologist Dr. Mercy Okoth urged empathy and patience as the case unfolds. “When people live under constant stress or isolation they can reach breaking points that manifest in unpredictable ways,” she said. “This incident is not only a matter of security but also a sign of a deeper mental health crisis.”
Her remarks have sparked a national dialogue online where Kenyans are calling for community mental health outreach and support systems for vulnerable citizens.
Security and Society
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has since intensified checks around State House and other strategic installations. Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage to understand how Kimunyi reached the compound and whether he had visited the area earlier.
Security analyst David Mwangi explained, “This breach shows that walls and gates are not enough. Security must include social understanding and early detection of psychological distress that can lead to desperate acts.”
For many Kenyans the incident has revealed both human fragility and institutional gaps. It has also renewed debate about unemployment, poverty and the rising cases of untreated mental illness in the country.
Beyond the Tape
Today the yellow police tape outside State House has been removed but its memory remains heavy. It marks more than a crime scene; it marks a moment of reckoning. It reminds the nation that even its most guarded places are not immune to the quiet storms that brew in the minds of those society overlooks.
Behind that tape lie two stories — one of duty and one of despair. Officer Ramadhan Hamisi Matanka gave his life in service while Kithuka Kimunyi lost his in confusion. Between them stands a painful truth: security is not only about strong walls or armed guards but about the unseen battles within people’s hearts.
