Police in Baringo County are investigating the gruesome murder of woman who was allegedly poisoned and strangled by her estranged lover.
Police have already arrested the suspect who they said confessed to committing the heinous act in Kasisit village after which he hid the body in his house for several days.
The woman's body was only discovered on Tuesday evening after a minor reported to a relative that a sharp smell was emanating from his elder brother’s two-roomed house.
The occupant, a watchman at a local primary school, is said to have been taking meals at his parents’ house before reporting to his workstation in the evening.
David Katya, the suspect’s uncle, said upon being informed about the foul smell, he accompanied the minor to the house and was shocked to discover the decomposing body of a woman lying on the floor.
“The door was locked from outside but we forced the window open. The scene was horrifying. The lifeless, decomposing body was lying on the floor with a rope tied around the neck,” said Mr Katya.
He identified the deceased body as his nephew’s lover, Sharon Jelagat, 21, who is known to the family and area residents.
Police officers and members of the public at the homestead in Kasisit village, Baringo North where the decomposing body of a 21-year-old woman was found on November 13, 2024.
Photo credit: Florah Koech | Nation Media Group
“I locked the window and reported the matter to the area chief who instructed me to go and report the same at Kasisit Police Post,” he said.
According to the relative, the suspect, 25-year-old Dennis Kipsang was later arrested by police and he allegedly confessed to having poisoned his lover before strangling her using a wire over infidelity suspicions.
Shock as Baringo North man allegedly poisons, strangles lover and keeps body for days
The couple have a child, who is under the care of their grandparents. According to family members, the two have had differences, with the suspect accusing the woman of having extra-marital affairs.
“They have had personal differences, and the deceased left for her parents’ home several times. The suspect recently accused his lover of cohabiting with a security officer in the area,” said Mr Katya.
Christopher Komen, a cousin of the suspect, said the alleged killer reported to the chief’s office about his lover’s suspected affair with another man, and later took the deceased’s belongings to the man’s house, warning her never to return to house.
“My cousin had vowed to never live with the mother of his child again. We were shocked to learn that she came back only to die in such circumstances,” said Mr Komen.
Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation and area residents carry the decomposing body of a 21-year-old woman who was found murdered in Kasisit village, Baringo County.
Photo credit: Florah Koech | Nation Media Group
Mr Justine Chirchir, the village elder, said the suspect had been going about his daily duties, and locals were unaware that he had killed his lover and locked her body inside the house.
“The suspect is very reserved and doesn’t mingle with people, so we could not suspect anything sinister. The body seems to have been in the house for more than five days,” said Mr Chirchir.
When Nation.Africa visited the home on Wednesday, hundreds of shocked residents were milling around the homestead, while conversing in hushed tones.
Baringo North Sub-County Police Commander Mohammed Abdi said the body was moved to Baringo County Referral Hospital morgue in Kabarnet for post-mortem.
“We received information that a woman’s decomposing body had been found in a house in a case suspected to be murder. Owing to the state of the body, we suspect the killing happened several days ago. We have arrested the suspect who is in our custody at Kabartonjo Police Station and investigations are ongoing,” he said.
“Cases of femicide have been on the rise in the recent past. We urge the public not to take the law into their hands, but instead learn to resolve their difference amicably or report to relevant authorities,” said the sub-county police boss.
