Dorita Macharia Murder Case: Actress Regina Re, Two Others Held for Two More Days

Kenya, 12 November 2026 - A Nairobi court on Thursday allowed police to detain actress and former television host Regina Wambui Gitau, popularly known as Regina Re of Who Is Smarter Now, and two other family members for two more days to complete investigations into the death of her 86-year-old mother.

Those detained are Regina Wambui Macharia Gitao, Thandie Malaika Wanjiku Gitao and Alton Jimmy Macharia. They have been in detention for 10 days since 2 November 2026.

Another suspect, Immanuel Munyeki, a boyfriend of Thandie Malaika Wanjiku Gitao, was set free. This was after police found no evidence linking him to the murder of Dorita Lasinder Macharia, and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) ordered his immediate release.

Dorita Lasinder Macharia died under unclear circumstances at her Loresho residence in Nairobi on 31 October 2026. There are claims that she was killed as some people across the world marked a controversial Halloween event. There are also claims that her death followed an altercation after she allegedly found her granddaughter, Thandie Malaika, in a compromising position with Munyeki inside her bedroom.

Police Constable David Njoroge said the victim was found with a deep cut on the left side of her neck. According to the investigator, preliminary investigations established that the deceased had disagreed with her granddaughter, Thandie, over what had transpired. She called her son, Jimmy, to help evict Thandie from the room and make her surrender the keys, and her friends were also told to leave.