A dramatic turn has emerged in the investigation into the death of Cheptagum Junior Secondary School teacher Caro Ngetich after the prime suspect was found dead while in police custody at Longisa Police Station. The suspect, identified as Anthony Njenga Kariuki, 33, had been arrested on Tuesday in connection with the suspected murder of the teacher.
Kariuki was arraigned in a Bomet court earlier on Thursday, where the prosecution successfully sought to have him detained for seven more days to allow police to complete investigations. He was returned to Longisa Police Station at around 1:30 p.m. and placed back in custody.
Hours later, officers conducting routine checks found the suspect unresponsive in his cell. Bomet East Sub‑County Police Commander Michael Mwenda said Kariuki was alone at the time and that preliminary inquiries are underway to establish the circumstances surrounding his death.
RELATED:
KUPPET Bomet Gender Secretary condemns brutal killing of Cheptagum JSS teacher
Police have opened an inquiry into the in‑custody death even as the initial probe into the killing of Caro Ngetich continues. The development has further shocked the teacher’s family, colleagues, and the wider community, who had been awaiting answers following a postmortem indicating she suffered spinal injuries and was one month pregnant at the time of her death.
Authorities said updates will be provided as investigations progress, with both cases, Ngetich’s death and the suspect’s in‑custody death being handled by relevant units to ensure transparent findings.
By Philip Koech
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
