Detectives in Bomet Central have arrested a 28-year-old man accused of murdering a 45-year-old woman in what authorities say was a crime driven by a long-standing grudge linked to a past romantic relationship.
Wesley Cheruiyot Koech is alleged to have killed Rachealine Rutto in cold blood inside her home before fleeing the scene. The deceased’s daughter discovered her mother’s mutilated body lying on a bed in a pool of blood on Tuesday last week, after several attempts to reach her by phone went unanswered.
“The discovery was made by the deceased’s daughter, who had grown increasingly anxious after repeated calls to her mother went unanswered throughout the day. Driven by concern, she visited her mother’s home, only to be met with a horrifying scene,” the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) stated on Friday.
“Rutto’s body lay on the bed in a pool of blood, bearing deep neck wounds and multiple stab injuries to her arm, chest, and back,” DCI added.
Following the report, detectives launched a manhunt for the suspect. Koech was tracked down to his hideout in Sailo village, Kipkelion East Sub-County, where he was apprehended and interrogated.
The suspect later led police to his home, where key evidence was recovered, including the suspected murder weapon and items believed to have belonged to the victim.
“Among them were the suspected murder weapon, a bloodstained knife wrapped in a cloth, as well as the deceased’s ring and a mobile phone containing disturbing photographs of the body taken by the suspect after the killing,” DCI noted.
Investigations revealed that the alleged motive for the brutal act was a bitter fallout following the end of a romantic relationship in 2016, when Koech was 19 and Rutto was 36. Authorities say Koech harbored resentment after their breakup, reportedly claiming to have spent money on Rutto during their relationship.
The suspect remains in police custody as detectives continue processing his case ahead of his arraignment.
