Marathoner’s Wife Hired Goons, Eldoret Court Told
Hawker Testifies in Eldoret Court: Marathoner’s Wife Allegedly Paid Sh200,000 to “Discipline” Husband Over Infidelity
An Eldoret-based hawker shocked the courtroom during a murder trial when he testified that the wife of slain Kenyan international marathoner Samson Kandie allegedly offered him KSh 200,000 to “discipline” her husband over suspected infidelity.
Testifying before Justice Reuben Nyakundi, Joshua Nyanchae claimed that Rose Chepkemboi Rotich, a clinical officer at Kabarnet County Hospital and the widow of the late athlete, approached him with the offer after suspecting her husband was involved with a commercial sex worker.
“She wanted us to punish her husband because he was cheating on her,” said Nyanchae. “She was introduced to me by their former house help, who now runs a small business in Eldoret.”
According to Nyanchae, Ms. Rotich allegedly instructed him and his associates to carry out the act at the couple’s residence in the upscale Elgon View estate on the outskirts of Eldoret. He told the court that she made an initial payment of KSh 10,000 as a deposit.
“Although I had received Sh10,000 as down payment, I realized that the assignment before me was too hard to accomplish and that is why I declined to continue with the mission to discipline the deceased as instructed by Madam Rose,” he testified.
The court heard that Kandie later succumbed to serious injuries sustained during the attack by assailants armed with crude weapons. He died while receiving treatment at a hospital in Eldoret.
Ms. Rotich is facing murder charges alongside two other accused individuals, Jamlick Kiptoon Morogit and Vincent Ng’ososei Kiprono. The trio is accused of murdering Kandie on the night of October 3, 2024, at their Elgon View home in Uasin Gishu County. They have all denied the charges and remain in custody at Eldoret GK Remand Prison after being denied bail.
State Counsel Sidi Kireng informed the court that the prosecution has lined up 17 witnesses, including the deceased’s daughter.
Another witness, Felix Kodek, also testified that Ms. Rotich approached him with a similar request.
“She gave our team leader Sh9,000 in cash to be shared among us, with firm instructions to go and administer punishment to her randy husband,” said Kodek. He further revealed that the meeting took place at Belasco Bar and Hotel in Eldoret.
“We met with Madam at Belasco, where she bought us alcohol and discussed the plan. She also ordered a drink for herself. During the meeting, she gave us Sh9,000. Our team leader gave me Sh2,000, but I later opted out of the mission,” Kodek added.
Kodek claimed that during their conversation, Ms. Rotich expressed frustration over her husband’s alleged violent behavior and extramarital relationship with a sex worker.
“She confided in us that she was angry with her husband for being unfaithful and violent, and that she wanted him taught a lesson,” he said.
The case was adjourned to June 2 for further hearing.
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