The untimely death of Samuel Kamau Wanjiru on May 15, 2011, sent shockwaves through the world.

As one of Kenya’s greatest marathoners and an Olympic gold medalist, Wanjiru’s legacy was unparalleled. 

At 24 years old, he became the youngest man to win the Olympic marathon in Beijing 2008, and his stunning victories in races like the Chicago and Berlin marathons only cemented his status as one of the greatest marathoners the world had ever produced.

He had shattered records, broke barriers, and was at the peak of his athletic career.  Yet, in the hours leading up to his death, the circumstances surrounding his final moments remain clouded in mystery and sorrow, leaving fans and loved ones grappling with the questions: Was it an accident? Suicide? Or something far darker—murder?

Over 14 years, the case has captivated the nation and the world as investigations and inquests unsuccessfully seek to peel back the layers surrounding his final moments. 

Marathoner Wanjiru’s death was initially reported as a tragic fall from the balcony of his Nyahururu home.

However, the confusion, conflicting witness testimonies, and the discovery of blunt-force trauma to his head have raised more questions than answers. 

The timeline of events on that fateful day, May 14 and 15, reveals a series of incidents filled with tension, alcohol, and mounting emotional conflict.

On May 14, Wanjiru had just wrapped up a week of intense training in Eldoret, where he had been working under the guidance of his coach, Chavard Berardelli.

But, in an unexpected decision, Wanjiru asked for permission to leave early and travel to Nyahururu, his hometown, accompanied by his training partner, Daniel Nderitu. 

Journey home

The reasons behind Wanjiru’s sudden trip remain a point of interest. According to Nderitu, Wanjiru had plans to meet with three individuals.

First, he was scheduled to meet his lawyer, Ndegwa Wahome. Second, he planned to see his old friend, George Kamau, who worked at a bank in Nyahururu and was helping Wanjiru organise a party for his workers. Finally, Wanjiru intended to return a Toyota Mark II to his wife, Teresia (Treiza) Wanjiru who had also traveled from her then-residing home in Ngong area in Kajiado county.

The two athletes embarked on their journey in Berardelli’s Prado, with Wanjiru driving and Nderitu following in a Mark II. Their route included a series of stops for drinks and food.

At their first stop in Eldama Ravine, the two had a Red Bull for energy, followed by a lunch stop in Nakuru at Bottosola, where they drank wine too. At Whitehouse, they drank two Tusker Malt each and took additional beers for the road.

Upon arriving in Nyahururu, Wanjiru and Nderitu stopped at Jimlock Inn, a local establishment. Here, they met Kamau, a longtime friend of Wanjiru, and James Kabugi, the owner of the inn. 

Kamau testified in the inquest before Milimani Law Courts that the meeting took place between 8pm and 9pm, and that they were taking alcohol. The group after some time, moved to Waterfalls Hotel, where the drinking continued into the night. According to Nderitu, Wanjiru appeared in high spirits, organising the night and even distributing T-shirts to his friends.

But things took a turn when a dispute arose over an unpaid bill, of some Sh700. The court heard that the hotel staff locked the gate, preventing Wanjiru and his friends from leaving until the bill was settled. Wanjiru in a fit of anger rammed the Prado into the gate and sped off with Kabugi, leaving Kamau behind who, however, managed to resolve the issue. 

Afterward, Wanjiru returned to pick up Kamau – but once again, he abruptly drove off, leaving his friends behind. Nevertheless, Kamau and Kabugi decided to find their way back to Jimlock Inn. They soon realised they had left Kamau’s car keys in Wanjiru’s vehicle.

The search for Wanjiru in Nyahururu town led them to Kawa Falls Hotel a familiar spot for Wanjiru, but one that would become the site of an unexpected revelation.

They found Wanjiru, enjoying a meal of fried eggs. But he was not alone.  Across from him sat a woman who, to Wanjiru’s two friends, was a mystery at the time.  Later identified as Jane Nduta, she was someone Wanjiru had known intimately since February 2011, just a few months before his tragic death.

Kamau picked up his keys and the T-shirts they had been given earlier, and they made their way back to Jimlock Inn. Wanjiru and Nduta joined them there, and they continued to drink more beer.

According to Kamau, they parted ways around midnight, noting that Wanjiru bought condoms before they left.    

The events that followed would spiral further out of control. Nduta, who testified in the subsequent inquest, said upon arriving at the gate, Wanjiru got out of the car, spoke to the watchman, who opened the gate, and they drove into the compound. 

They got out of the car and entered the house, where Wanjiru turned on the TV. Soon after, they went upstairs, and Wanjiru fell asleep.  

The confrontation

It was not long before his wife, Triza, arrived. A confrontation between Triza and Nduta quickly escalated.After an exchange, Triza locked the upstairs gate with a padlock and left the house. 

Triza is said to have had no conversation with her husband and simply left the premises after locking the gates and ordering the watchman to hand over the spare keys for both the house and the gate.

Nduta testified immediately she woke Wanjiru, and he instructed her to dress and go into the children’s room, which was also upstairs.

Wanjiru, allegedly in a vulnerable state, begged Triza to return and open the gate.  

After some time, when things seemed to calm down, Nduta decided to check on Wanjiru. She then noticed that the marathoner was no longer in the bedroom. 

Looking over the balcony, she saw the security guard identified as Stephen Kamau Maigwa, who informed her that Wanjiru had jumped from the second floor balcony.

On his part, Maigwa testified in the inquiry that after Triza arrived home and after seeing her husband’s vehicle parked inside the compound, she signaled to a driver who had brought her home, who the inquest heard was a family friend, to drive in. 

“I saw Triza coming downstairs while talking on the phone. l also saw the deceased on the balcony calling her to come back, but she refused and instead walked out of the compound,” the witness explained.

The guard recalled that the late Wanjiru called him from the balcony, instructing him to look for the keys. Shortly after, he heard the sound of a falling object.