Four Men Charged with Murder of Businessman in Eldoret
According to the charge sheet, the suspects are alleged to have abducted and murdered Mugiro on April 27, 2025, at Kipkaren Estate in Kapseret Sub-County
Four men, including a cereal farmer, were on Tuesday arraigned before an Eldoret court and charged with the murder of a 24-year-old businessman, Samwel Mugiro.
A psychiatric evaluation conducted at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital confirmed that all four accused are mentally fit to stand trial. The mental assessment report was presented last week before High Court Deputy Registrar Caroline Watima.
“The psychiatric report confirms that the accused persons are of sound mind and are capable of pleading to the murder charges,” said Watima.
The accused—Dennis Kiptoo Rono, Elvis Kiptanui, Abiud Barkutwa alias Vandem, and Cornelius Kiplimo Keter—denied the charges when they appeared before Presiding Judge Reuben Nyakundi.
According to the charge sheet, the suspects are alleged to have abducted and murdered Mugiro on April 27, 2025, at Kipkaren Estate in Kapseret Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County. His decomposing body was discovered four days later by members of the public along River Sosiani.
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) based at Langas Police Station apprehended the suspects from their hideouts within Kipkaren Estate.
“The suspects were linked to the crime through witness accounts indicating that they were seen assaulting the deceased before his body was later retrieved from the river,” said a source within the investigating team.
The prosecution opposed the suspects’ application for bond, citing concerns that they posed a flight risk and that police were still recording statements from key witnesses.
Justice Nyakundi ordered that the accused be remanded at Eldoret GK Prison until their next court appearance.
“The suspects should be escorted to Eldoret GK Prison until June 16 when they will appear before Justice Emily Ominde’s court for pre-trial direction,” ruled Judge Nyakundi.
Justice Ominde is expected to give further directions on the commencement of the murder trial on that date.
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