Who Was Margaret Wambui Rewel? Family Seeks Answers After Mysterious Upper Hill Tragedy
Margaret Wambui Rewel Past photo
Margaret Wambui Rewel was a young university student whose life ended in tragic and unexplained circumstances in Nairobi. According to a notice released by Murang'a University of Technology, Margaret was pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management under the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. She had joined the university in 2023 and was also undertaking her industrial attachment at a hotel in Nairobi.
Reports indicate that on the evening of July 18, Margaret left her family home in Kasarani at around 7:00 p.m. She had informed her family that she was heading to her workplace for her internship. However, investigators later established that there was no evidence showing she ever arrived at the hotel that night. This unexpected gap in her movements has become one of the major questions surrounding the case.
Investigators say Margaret later entered Altura Apartments in Nairobi's Upper Hill area at around 10:00 p.m. CCTV records and witness accounts reportedly show that she first visited the reception before proceeding towards the upper floors of the building. It is believed she made her way to the 22nd floor and later accessed the rooftop.
Police believe Margaret had gone to the rooftop to take photographs. A security guard reportedly saw her taking pictures while on the rooftop. However, the guard later left briefly to use the washroom. During that short period, no one witnessed what happened next. When he returned, Margaret was no longer on the rooftop.
A short time later, a security guard alerted the building management after a woman's body was discovered on a neighbouring plot beside the building. Police officers rushed to the scene and found Margaret with severe injuries that were consistent with a fall from a great height. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
During the investigation, officers recovered Margaret's handbag from the rooftop. Inside the bag were several personal belongings, including her mobile phone, work uniform, purse, identification documents, bank card and voter registration card. The discovery of her belongings on the rooftop raised additional questions because they had not fallen with her.
Police documented the scene before moving Margaret's body to the Nairobi Funeral Home for a post-mortem examination and formal identification. Detectives also began collecting evidence from the apartment building, including CCTV footage, witness statements and forensic material that could help establish exactly what happened during Margaret's final moments.
Margaret's family has maintained that they are struggling to understand how the tragedy occurred. They say she had shown no signs of emotional distress before leaving home that evening. According to relatives, Margaret had been focused on her studies and internship and appeared to be planning for her future like any other young student.
The family says they were first alerted after one of Margaret's friends became concerned when she could no longer reach her by phone. Eventually, another person reportedly answered Margaret's phone and directed them to contact officers at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. The shocking phone call marked the beginning of the family's painful search for answers.
Relatives who visited the apartment building questioned how such a serious incident happened without clear eyewitness accounts. They also wondered why Margaret's handbag and personal items remained on the rooftop while her body was found on a nearby plot. These unanswered questions have continued to fuel calls for a thorough and transparent investigation.
Police have stated that they are investigating all possible circumstances surrounding the incident. At the early stage of the investigation, detectives indicated they were examining whether Margaret accidentally fell from the rooftop. Authorities have not publicly announced a final conclusion, and investigations remain important in determining exactly what happened.
Family members have appealed to investigators to carefully review all available CCTV footage and interview everyone who may have interacted with Margaret that night. They believe every piece of evidence could help establish the truth and provide justice for their daughter.
The university community was deeply saddened by Margaret's passing. Murang'a University of Technology released an official notice confirming her death and expressing condolences to her family, fellow students and lecturers. The institution identified her as a Hospitality Management student and announced her burial arrangements in Murang'a County.
Margaret's death has also sparked wider conversations about safety in high-rise buildings, security procedures and the importance of preserving evidence at scenes of unexplained deaths. Many Kenyans have called for investigators to complete a comprehensive inquiry so that all outstanding questions can be answered through verified evidence rather than speculation.
As the investigation continues, Margaret Wambui Rewel is remembered as a promising young woman whose education and career had only just begun. Her family continues to hope that the investigation will reveal exactly what happened during her final hours. Until detectives complete their work and officially determine the circumstances of her death, many of the questions surrounding the tragedy remain unanswered.