Regina Re and Three Relatives Detained for 10 Days as Police Investigate 86-Year-Old Mother's Murder

A Nairobi court has authorised the detention of Kenyan actress and former television presenter Regina Re alongside three relatives as detectives investigate the killing of her 86-year-old mother, Dorita Lasinder Macharia.

The decision was delivered on Monday, November 2, 2026, after investigators requested additional time to establish the circumstances surrounding the elderly woman's death at her residence in Loresho, Nairobi.

Regina Re, whose official name is Regina Wambui Gitau, is among four people currently being held at Gigiri Police Station as the investigation continues.

The court approved a 10-day detention period, shorter than the 15 days initially requested by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

What Happened Before Dorita Macharia's Death?

According to information presented in court, preliminary investigations suggest that a disagreement occurred between Dorita Macharia and her granddaughter, Thandie Malaika Wanjiku Gitao, shortly before the elderly woman's death.

Investigators told the court that Dorita had allegedly discovered her granddaughter with her boyfriend in a compromising situation inside the family residence.

The elderly woman reportedly became upset and instructed her granddaughter to leave the property and surrender the keys to the room.

She also allegedly directed other individuals who were present at the house to leave.

Following the disagreement, Dorita reportedly contacted her son, Jimmy Macharia, requesting assistance in resolving the situation and having her granddaughter leave the residence.

Court proceedings further revealed that Thandie initially left but later returned to the house, where she reportedly spent approximately one hour with her grandmother.

The elderly woman was subsequently discovered lying in a pool of blood, with a deep wound on the left side of her neck.

These details were presented by the investigating officer as part of the prosecution's application for additional detention time. They remain allegations under investigation and have not been established as facts through a trial.

Why Were Regina Re and Her Relatives Detained?

Detectives informed the court that they needed more time to complete several investigative procedures before submitting their findings to the relevant authorities.

Among the outstanding tasks are:

Analysing CCTV recordings obtained from the residential estate.
Conducting forensic examinations at the scene.
Examining fingerprints and other possible physical evidence.
Obtaining mobile phone communication records.
Recording statements from individuals who may have information about the incident.
Conducting a postmortem examination to establish the cause of death.

Investigators also indicated that releasing the suspects before completing these procedures could potentially interfere with the ongoing investigation.

The prosecution initially requested permission to hold the four individuals for 15 days. However, the court granted 10 days, allowing detectives additional time to gather evidence and establish what happened.

Who Are the Four People Being Investigated?

The four individuals named in the court proceedings include Regina Re, her granddaughter Thandie Malaika Wanjiku Gitao, and two other relatives or individuals connected to the family.

The investigation is focused on establishing the circumstances surrounding Dorita's death and determining whether any of the individuals held in connection with the case were involved.

Importantly, detention during an investigation does not amount to a conviction. The suspects have not been convicted of murder, and the Director of Public Prosecutions will consider the investigation file before making a decision on possible charges.

Regina Re's Career in the Kenyan Entertainment Industry

Regina Re is a familiar personality in Kenya's entertainment industry, particularly among audiences who followed television programming in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

She became widely recognised through her role as the presenter of the popular television quiz programme Who's Smarter Now?, which aired between 1999 and 2006.

Her career has also included appearances in Kenyan television productions and films, including Makutano Junction and the Showmax Christmas production A Merry X-Mess.

News of her detention has attracted public attention because of her recognition in the country's entertainment industry and the circumstances surrounding her mother's death.

What Happens Next in the Investigation?

With the court granting detectives 10 days to continue holding the four individuals, investigators are expected to concentrate on gathering forensic evidence, reviewing available CCTV footage and interviewing potential witnesses.

A postmortem examination is also expected to provide further information about the circumstances and cause of Dorita Macharia's death.

Once the investigation is complete, the file will be forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), which will determine whether the available evidence justifies criminal charges.

The case is expected to return to court for further mention as the investigation progresses.

For now, the circumstances surrounding the death of the 86-year-old woman remain under investigation, with detectives working to establish what happened inside the Loresho residence.