Joy Wangui Murder Suspect Detained For 21 Days
By Staff Writer
A Molo court has allowed police to detain a 23-year-old man for 21 days as detectives investigate the killing of an 18-year-old Form Four student in Moto village, Nakuru County.
Walter Kipkoech appeared before Molo Resident Magistrate Christine Mugo on Tuesday, where investigators sought more time to complete their probe into the death of Joy Wangui.
The police told the court they needed time to conduct a postmortem examination, obtain DNA analysis of evidence collected at the scene and subject the suspect to a mental assessment.
Investigators also told the court that releasing Kipkoech on bond at this stage could expose him to danger because of heightened anger among members of the public following the killing.
Kipkoech did not oppose the application for additional detention. The magistrate granted the request and directed that he be presented before the plea court on October 27.
The suspect was arrested on Monday at a hideout in Lagwenda village, Kuresoi North, following a manhunt by detectives from Molo and the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) at the Regional Criminal Investigations Headquarters in the Rift Valley.
Police said Kipkoech had fled shortly after Wangui was killed at her family home in the Kiambaa area of Moto Location.
Wangui, a Form Four candidate at Molo Senior School, was found dead inside her parents’ home after her brother returned from a nearby family shop. Police said investigators recovered several items from the scene which are being treated as evidence.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations said detectives are investigating a possible relationship dispute as a motive for the killing. Preliminary investigations, according to police, established that Kipkoech and Wangui were in a relationship.
Police also said Kipkoech was arrested wearing clothing bearing Wangui’s name and other garments that investigators believed could be relevant to the case. The items were taken into custody as part of the ongoing investigation.
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