By Talarus Chesang’
Residents of Kaptalam village in Seretunin, Baringo Central are still in shock after a suspect, Thomas Kiplagat alias Kipsotok, 25 murdered a 17-year old girl, Rachael Jelimo Chepkwony, a Form Two student at Seretunin Mixed Day Secondary school.
“The girl had just returned home from school in the morning after she was sent to collect school fees before meeting her untimely death,” Seretunin Location Chief Patrick Kiprop said.
The Chief said the suspect, who shares a fence with the family, was caught by the girl stealing a sack of beans after breaking into their store.
Upon questioning the man, he hurriedly raised a sharp machete he was carrying and chopped off the girl’s both hands before slashing her neck, killing her on the spot.
Kiprop said the girl’s mother who had left the house to work in a nearby farm suddenly heard her daughter screaming for help and rushed to find out what may have happened to her.
“But unfortunately it was too late as she found her lifeless body lying in a pool of blood,” he said.
According to the Chief, after committing the heinous act the suspect fled the scene but left one shoe behind which they assisted in their investigation.
He then alerted members of the public to be on the lookout for the suspect who was armed and still at large.
The culprit was later nabbed on Thursday 7.30 pm by residents of Sogon village near Talai, Baringo South around 10 kilometres away from the murder scene.
Upon his arrest they found him in possession of the sharp panga he used to commit the heinous act.
The girl’s father Dickson Chebocho was too overwhelmed with grief to speak, instead he only uttered the word ‘justice’ as he nodded his head.
Baringo Central sub county Police Commander Christine Kola confirmed the incident saying the suspect had been detained and was currently held at Kabarnet Police station awaiting arraignment in court as soon as police officers were through with investigations.
