Rachel Wandeto’s last words have added painful new details to the story of her death, as the gospel singer described how attackers confronted her over money just before dousing her with petrol in Nairobi. She passed away on Monday morning, May 18, at Kenyatta National Hospital after battling severe burns for several days.
In an interview at her hospital bed, the artist spoke with visible effort, her voice weak but clear. She recounted how men approached her demanding cash. “Walinikujia wakisema niwapee pesa yote niliyopewa. Nilipowapatia hapo ndio walinimwagia,” she said, explaining that when she handed over the money, they poured petrol on her and set it alight.
The recording, shared widely online, captures her lying in the hospital bed with bandaged and burnt hands resting on a colourful checkered blanket.
The attack took place on May 15 in Mwiki, within Nairobi’s Kasarani area. Neighbours still talk about the shock of seeing smoke and hearing the commotion on a normally busy stretch of road.
One resident who asked not to be named said the whole neighbourhood felt on edge afterward. “We heard someone screaming, and by the time help came, it was already too late to stop what happened.”
Her Final Account From the Hospital Bed
Wandeto had been open about her support for President William Ruto, including a prominent tattoo of his face that turned heads across the country. That public stance appears tied to the confrontation.
According to her account, the men accused her of keeping money meant for others, linked to her backing of the president. She told those around her bed that she gave them what they wanted, only for the situation to turn deadly.
Interior Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen visited her at Kenyatta National Hospital before she died, along with police officials. He promised a serious investigation and said such violence had no place in Kenya.
President Ruto also spoke out, condemning the attack and calling for those responsible to face justice no matter their connections. “This threatens our democratic stability,” he noted in his statement.
Fellow musicians and church members have poured out tributes. One gospel artist who knew her for years described Wandeto as someone full of energy on stage. “Her voice carried so much faith. She did not deserve to go through this kind of pain,” the friend said during a small gathering near Mwiki.
Online, reactions range from deep sorrow to sharp questions about whether politics played the main role or if robbery mixed in.
Community Mourning and Calls for Answers
Back in the days leading up to her death, Wandeto fought hard despite burns covering a large part of her body. Medical staff at Kenyatta National Hospital worked around the clock, but the injuries from the fire proved overwhelming. Family members stayed close, holding onto hope until the end came early Monday.
The incident has stirred wider talk about safety for people who speak out on political matters. In churches around Nairobi and beyond, prayers focused on her family and on finding a way to stop this kind of brutality.
Police continue their work in Kasarani, gathering statements and reviewing any available footage. No arrests have been announced yet, and investigators have not ruled out different possible reasons.
Some voices online push back against purely political explanations, urging people to wait for facts. Others see it as a clear warning about rising tensions ahead of future elections.
Those who met her recall a woman quick to smile and share a song, even as she navigated the spotlight that came with her bold choices. Her final words, spoken from that hospital bed, now form part of a story that many Kenyans are still trying to understand.
As grief settles over the days since May 18, the focus stays on justice for her and safety for others who choose to stand publicly for what they believe.
