Five suspects detained for 14 days over Eldoret hotel manager murder
The suspects are Allan Kiprotich Tuiyot, Elvis Ambani, Jackson Sifuna, Fredrick Seroney and Betty Jeptoo. Tuiyot is also described as a cousin of a senior judicial officer.
The five suspects in the murder case—Allan Kiprotich Tuiyot, Elvis Ambani, Jackson Sifuna, Fredrick Seroney and Betty Jeptoo—appear before court in Eldoret.
By Hubzmedia Reporter
Five suspects, including a husband and wife and three farm workers, have been detained for 14 days as detectives continue investigations into the killing of Eldoret hotel manager Peter Liarin Sema, in a case police suspect could be linked to a love triangle.
The suspects appeared before Resident Magistrate Naima Korir Chelagat, who granted investigators more time to complete their inquiries.
The court ordered that the five be detained at Naiberi Police Station pending further investigations into the murder.
The suspects are Allan Kiprotich Tuiyot, Elvis Ambani, Jackson Sifuna, Fredrick Seroney and Betty Jeptoo. Tuiyot is also described as a cousin of a senior judicial officer.
Investigating officer Eric Ruto told the court that detectives were yet to recover the weapon allegedly used in the killing as well as the deceased’s mobile phone.
“Your Honour, we need more time to complete our investigations into the murder. We are yet to recover the weapon that was used in his killing, including his mobile phone,” Ruto told the court.
The court heard that Sema, who worked as a chief accountant at a leading hotel in Eldoret, was found dead near Kipkorgot Centre, a short distance from his vehicle and a home along the busy Eldoret–Eldama Ravine highway.
According to the prosecution, preliminary investigations established that the deceased’s white Toyota Axio was parked about 150 metres from where his body was discovered.
Police told the court that their investigations subsequently led them to the home of Tuiyot and his estranged wife, Jeptoo, at Tuiyot Farm in Kipkorgot.
The two were reportedly not at home when detectives arrived, while their mobile phones were switched off. Investigators allegedly spotted bloodstains on the veranda of the main house.
The court heard that Tuiyot, a hotelier by profession, later presented himself to police accompanied by his lawyer and was arrested. A few hours later, Jeptoo also arrived at Naiberi Police Station accompanied by a lawyer and was taken into custody.
Ruto told the court that the five suspects were persons of interest in an investigation into murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code. The alleged offence occurred on the night of August 6, 2026, at Kipkorgot in Ainabkoi Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County.
The investigating officer said detectives required additional time to recover the alleged murder weapon, identify and arrest possible accomplices, record statements from key witnesses and obtain communication data from relevant authorities.
He further told the court that blood samples collected from the alleged crime scene were yet to be submitted to the Government Chemist for forensic analysis.
Ruto also sought time for the suspects to undergo mental assessments at a public hospital.
“Your Honour, this is a complex investigation owing to the behaviour and lack of fixed abode of some of the respondents. The investigators require more time to finalise their work,” he said.
Police further opposed the suspects’ release on bond or police cash bail, arguing that doing so before the conclusion of investigations could expose witnesses and exhibits to interference or intimidation.
“There is a high risk of witness and exhibit interference or intimidation by some of the respondents if granted their prayers to be freed on bond or police cash bail before the conclusion of investigations,” Ruto argued.
However, Jeptoo, through her lawyer Sonkule, denied that she was at the scene of the alleged murder.
The lawyer told the court that Jeptoo had been in hospital attending to her sick child and urged the magistrate to release her pending completion of investigations.
The court will mention the matter on August 25, 2026, for further directions.
The five suspects have not been convicted of any offence, and the allegations against them remain subject to ongoing police investigations and the due process of the law.
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