Prime suspect in the murder of US-based Nyamira couple arrested after two months on the run

The primary suspect in the gruesome murder of a Kenyan couple living in the US two months ago in Nyamakoroto village, Nyamira County, has been apprehended by detectives.

Edward Morema Nyagechi, 63, a resident in the United States, was on March 22 found lying dead near his garage with deep cuts on his head while his hands and legs were tied with binding wire.

His wife Grace Morema, 60, was later found in the bedroom with deep cuts around her neck. She had been tied up in a similar manner to her husband.

The mouths of the two were stuffed with clothes to prevent them from fighting back or screaming for help as well. Masaba North Deputy Police Commander Robert Ndambiri said at that time that they suspect they were tortured before being murdered.

He said they had not established the motive of the murder.

“It seems the killers first captured them, tied their hands, and gagged their mouths so that they could not scream for help. We think they died as a result of excessive bleeding,” he said on the phone.

Today, more than two months after the murder David Ondara was apprehended by officers disguised as hawkers after a 4-day chase that came to a conclusion at the Isebania border in Migori County. His arrest has increased the total number of suspects captured so far to three, according to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Ondara was identified as a result of further investigation by law enforcement authorities after he was first discovered in Ruai, Nairobi County, where he is thought to have gone into hiding four days ago before fleeing to Migori.

At the time of his arrest, Ondara was discovered to be in possession of four additional 9mm rounds, as well as a variety of spanners, nuts, screwdrivers, and pliers.

“The sleuths posing as hawkers selling the much revered mukombero roots along the border struck in one swift move and whisked the armed suspect away without firing a single shot,” said the DCI.

“Upon searching the suspect, 14 more rounds of 9mm caliber were recovered, assorted spanners, nuts, screwdrivers and pliers all used for breaking into parked vehicles,” part of DCI statement reads.

Detectives say the suspect is also believed to be behind a number of reported robbery with violence and murder incidents in Nairobi, Nyamira, Kisii and Migori counties.