Former television host and actress Regina Wambui Gitau, popularly known as Regina Re, is among four family members detained as detectives investigate the killing of her 86-year-old mother, Dorita Lasinder Macharia, at their family home in Nairobi.
Regina, who previously hosted the popular KTN game show Who’s Smarter Now?, was arrested alongside her brother, daughter and another relative following the discovery of her mother’s body at Loresho Ridge Estate on Friday night, October 30, 2026.
The circumstances surrounding the elderly woman’s death have since emerged in court documents, with investigators detailing an alleged family disagreement that preceded the incident.
According to an affidavit presented by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Dorita reportedly confronted her granddaughter, Thandie Malaika, after allegedly finding her in a compromising situation with her boyfriend, Immanuel Munyeki, inside the family home.
The elderly woman reportedly ordered the granddaughter, her boyfriend and other friends who were present to leave the premises and demanded the return of the house keys.
Former TV host Regina Wambui Gitau. PHOTO/Instagram/@reginareglobal
Investigators told the court that Dorita subsequently contacted her son, Jimmy Macharia, seeking his assistance in having the visitors leave.
A commotion reportedly followed the disagreement. Thandie allegedly left before returning to the house, where she remained with her grandmother for approximately an hour.
Dorita was later found dead in a pool of blood inside the residence, with a deep cut wound on her neck.
The investigation also took a new turn after detectives made allegations concerning the handling of the scene.
According to the investigating officer, Regina Re and her brother, Jimmy Macharia, were allegedly found attempting to clean the blood-soaked room where their mother had been killed.
The allegations were presented as part of the prosecution’s application seeking additional time to hold the four suspects as detectives pursued further investigations.
On Monday, November 2, 2026, Kibera Law Courts granted police permission to detain Regina and the three other suspects at Gigiri Police Station for 10 days.
Investigators told the court they needed additional time to retrieve and analyse CCTV footage, obtain mobile phone records, conduct forensic examinations and record statements from witnesses.
The case was scheduled for mention on November 12, 2026.
Meanwhile, a government post-mortem examination conducted on November 3 established that Dorita died from severe blood loss caused by multiple stab wounds to the neck. The examination also revealed more than 20 sharp-force injuries on different parts of her body.
Regina Re and the other suspects have not been formally charged with murder, and investigations remain ongoing.
