GSU Officer Detained for 21 Days Over Murder of Nurse at Ainabkoi Camp in Eldoret
The court heard that the incident occurred on the evening of August 30, 2026, at the GSU mess compound in Ainabkoi Sub-County.
Photo: Courtesy.
By Robert Mutasi
A General Service Unit (GSU) officer has been arraigned before an Eldoret court in connection with the death of a nurse at a GSU camp in Ainabkoi, Uasin Gishu County.
Nathan Kirwa was arraigned before Eldoret Chief Magistrate Peter Ndwiga over the murder of Doris Murei, a nurse at a camp located near the State Lodge in Eldoret.
Magistrate Ndwiga allowed police to detain the officer for 21 days as investigations into the death continue.
Investigating officer Edwin Chirchir told the court that police needed the additional time to record statements from more than nine witnesses and to submit samples and other exhibits recovered from the scene for forensic analysis.
Chirchir said the officer is a person of interest in investigations into an alleged offence of murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code.
The court heard that the incident occurred on the evening of August 30, 2026, at the GSU mess compound in Ainabkoi Sub-County.
According to the investigating officer, preliminary inquiries indicated that the officer encountered the deceased, Murei, at the mess before an altercation allegedly occurred.
Chirchir told the court that investigators suspect the officer shot Murei with a pistol before leaving the scene in a vehicle, which was later found abandoned at the GSU main gate.
Police officers and scene-of-crime personnel who visited the compound reportedly found Murei’s body at the scene with what appeared to be gunshot injuries. Seven spent cartridges were recovered from the area, the court was told.
The body was taken to a mortuary in Eldoret pending a postmortem examination to establish the exact cause of death.
The officer was later arrested in the Kaptinga area along the Kapseret-Maili Tisa Bypass Road, according to the prosecution. Police also recovered a 9mm pistol and ammunition, the court heard. The officer was subsequently escorted to Naiberi Police Station, where he was reportedly found with an injury to his left forefinger.
In his application for custodial orders, Chirchir asked the court to allow police to continue holding the officer, arguing that releasing him at this stage could interfere with investigations and with witnesses, some of whom are GSU officers serving within the same camp.
He also told the court that investigations were incomplete, with several key witnesses yet to record statements and the postmortem examination yet to be conducted. The firearm, magazine, spent cartridges and ammunition recovered had not yet been submitted for ballistic examination, he added.
Lawyer George Sonkule, representing the officer, opposed the application and urged the court to release his client on bond, arguing that he was not a flight risk and would not interfere with investigations. He told the court that his client was willing to comply with all conditions set by the court.
The prosecution opposed the release, citing the seriousness of the alleged offence and the fact that the incident occurred within a protected area. Chirchir also expressed concern that some potential witnesses were junior officers who could be vulnerable to interference.
After considering submissions from both sides, Magistrate Ndwiga granted the prosecution’s request to detain the officer for 21 days to facilitate further investigations, noting the need for police to complete forensic analysis and record witness statements.
The matter will be mentioned on September 21 for further directions.
The officer has not yet taken a plea and has not been convicted of any offence. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding Murei’s death are ongoing.
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