Actress Regina Re and three others detained 10 days in Loresho death probe

A court has allowed police to hold the actress and three relatives or associates for 10 days while they investigate the death of her 86-year-old mother in Loresho.

What happened

A court has allowed police to detain Kenyan actress Regina Wambui Gitau, popularly known as Regina Re, for 10 days while they investigate the killing of her mother, Dorita Lasinder Macharia, 86, in Loresho, Nairobi [1][2]. Dorita was found in a pool of blood in her home on the night of October 31, 2026 [1][2]. Regina is being held with her brother, her niece Thandie Malaika and the niece's boyfriend, Immanuel Waigwe Munyeki [1][3]. Regina is widely known for hosting the game show 'Who's Smarter Now?' from 1999 to 2006 [1].

Police allege that Dorita found Thandie and her boyfriend in a compromising position in the house and demanded that Thandie leave and hand over her keys [1]. According to the investigating officer, Dorita then called her son to help evict the granddaughter. Thandie left but returned, and the two remained in the house for about an hour [1]. Police also allege that Regina and her brother were found cleaning the room where the killing took place, in what police described as an attempt to interfere with the scene [1][2].

Why Kenyans are searching for it

The sources cover the court order, the police allegations and Regina's profile as a television presenter [1][2][3]. None of them says what has driven the search interest, so this explainer does not assume a cause.

Key facts

• The suspects will remain at Gigiri Police Station for 10 days [2].
• The prosecution asked for 15 days. Sources differ on the outcome: one says the magistrate granted a shorter period because the probe was at an early stage [2].
• The hearing was held at the Kibera Law Courts on Monday, November 2 [2][3]. The sources name different magistrates: B.A. Amino [1] and Barbara Akinyi [2].
• The cause of death has not been established. A postmortem had not been carried out at the time of the court hearing [2], and investigators are expected to witness one [3].
• Sources disagree on the wound. One describes a deep cut to the left side of the neck [2]; another describes a wound at the back of the neck [3].
• Investigators say they still need CCTV footage from the estate, witness statements, fingerprint analysis and the suspects' phone call data [2][3].
• The defence says the suspects have already recorded statements and surrendered their phones, and questions the need for further detention [2].

What to watch

Watch for the postmortem result and any confirmed cause of death. Also watch for the retrieval of the estate's CCTV footage, the forwarding of the investigation file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions [2], and the outcome of the 10-day detention. The sources do not report any charges. Every account of events in this case is an allegation made by police or reported by the media, and the suspects' version is limited to the defence's statement in court [2].

Sources

1. [1] Regina Re, relatives detained following murder of mother, 86 - Daily Nation
2. [2] Kenyan Actress Among 4 Detained Over Murder of 86-Year Old - Kenyans.co.ke
3. [3] A party cut short ... a dispute with grandma; The mysterious death of 86-year-old Dorita Macharia - Citizen Digital

Compiled by the NairobiCity trend desk from the sources above.