Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested a 23-year-old in connection with the murder of Joy Wangui, an 18-year-old Form Four student at Molo Secondary School in Nakuru County.
The DCI announced on Tuesday, October 6, that Walter Kipkoech, the suspect, was tracked down to a hideout at Lagwenda village, Kuresoi North by detectives from Molo working together with the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) at the Regional Criminal Investigations Headquarters, Rift Valley.
“A murder suspect who went into hiding after the brutal killing of a Form Four student in Molo has been arrested following a manhunt by detectives,” the DCI said in a statement on Tuesday.
The suspect, Kipkoech, was said to have gone into hiding after Wangui was found dead at her family homestead at Kiambaa area in Moto Location, Molo.
Wangui’s body was found by her brother after he arrived from a nearby shop. The police said the deceased’s body was found in the kitchen while her head was later discovered in a corridor at the house. Detectives on the crime scene also found an axe, a panga, and two knives, which they said were smeared with blood. They also claimed to have found a message written on the wall with blood.
According to police, the initial investigation concluded that Kipkoech was Wangui’s boyfriend and detectives are currently looking into whether the suspect killed the student due to a relationship problem. However, police detectives said the motivation behind the killing is yet to be determined.
The DCI said Kipkoech was found in a blood-stained boxer, a white T-shirt with Wangui’s name at the bottom edge, and black jeans with visible stains of dry blood. The suspect was taken to Molo Police Station to be processed and prepared for arraignment as detectives continue to investigate the incident.
“We will proceed with the investigations to establish the exact cause of death and the various events that led to it. At this point, Kipkoech is a suspect, and the charges against him will be determined through the court proceedings,” the DCI said.