Police have arrested a 23-year-old man suspected of killing an 18-year-old Form Four student in Molo, Nakuru County, following a days-long manhunt.
The suspect, identified as Walter Kipkoech, was arrested in Lagwenda village in Kuresoi North after detectives from Molo Police Station, working with officers from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) at the Regional Criminal Investigations Headquarters in the Rift Valley, tracked him to the area.
Kipkoech is accused of killing Joy Wangui, a Form Four student at Molo Secondary School, whose body was discovered inside a house in Kiambaa area, Moto Location. The discovery was made after Wangui’s brother reportedly left the house briefly to visit a nearby shop. When he returned, he found his sister dead in the kitchen, prompting him to alert the authorities.
Detectives who arrived at the scene found several weapons believed to be connected to the killing. An axe, a panga and two knives were recovered near the body, with investigators noting what appeared to be bloodstains on the weapons. The investigation later took another disturbing turn after Wangui’s severed head was found in a corridor within the house.
Detectives also discovered a message allegedly written on the wall using blood. The message appeared to reference the victim’s relationship with the suspect and raised questions about what may have happened before the killing. Investigators subsequently established that Kipkoech was the deceased’s boyfriend and began examining a possible disagreement within their relationship as a potential motive.
Following the killing, Kipkoech is said to have fled the area, prompting detectives to launch a search for him. Investigators eventually traced him to a hideout in Lagwenda village, where he was arrested.
Police said Kipkoech was found wearing clothing that allegedly had blood stains. He was reportedly dressed in a blood-stained boxer, a white T-shirt bearing the deceased’s name near the hem and black jeans with visible dried blood stains. The suspect was escorted to Molo Police Station, where detectives are continuing to process him as they piece together the events leading to Wangui’s death.
Investigators are expected to conduct further inquiries, including establishing the circumstances surrounding the alleged relationship dispute and examining the evidence recovered from the scene. Kipkoech remains in police custody pending his arraignment, while detectives work to complete their investigations and determine the full circumstances surrounding the student’s death.
