Mother Denies Involvement as Mystery Deepens Over Son’s Death in Eldoret Law Court Cells
With conflicting reports surrounding the young man’s tragic death, his family and human rights activists are demanding justice, questioning why he remained in remand for seven months without trial and whether foul play was involved in his death.
Seeking Justice: Grieving parents, Daniel Korir and Judith Chepngetich, address the media at the Eldoret Media Hub offices, demanding answers and accountability over the mysterious death of their son, Collins Cheruiyot, in the Eldoret Law Courts holding cells.
The circumstances surrounding the death of 24-year-old Collins Cheruiyot at the basement holding cells of the Eldoret Law Courts last week have taken a new twist, as his mother has distanced herself from the tragic incident.
Speaking to the media in Eldoret after viewing her son’s body at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) morgue, Judith Chepngetich strongly denied claims that she owns a bar—an establishment where her son was accused of breaking in and stealing beer before his arrest.
“I have never run a bar business as alleged, nor have I ever tasted alcohol in my entire life,” stated Chepngetich, who was accompanied by her husband, Daniel Korir, a matatu driver.
She condemned the police for linking her to the bar business, dismissing the claim as an attempt to justify her son’s prolonged detention and subsequent death.
Seven Months in Remand Without a Complainant
Chepngetich further revealed that the complainant in the alleged bar break-in had never appeared in court, leading to her son’s extended stay at Eldoret GK Remand Prison for seven months.
“If the complainant was no longer interested in pursuing the case, why did the court continue holding my son in remand for all that time?” she questioned.
Describing her son as humble, disciplined, and outgoing, she expressed doubts over the police’s version of events, demanding a thorough investigation.
“I am not convinced that my son committed suicide in the court cells, as claimed by the police. There is something suspicious about the entire incident,” she added.
Her husband, Daniel Korir, also rejected the suicide claim, accusing the police of attempting a cover-up.
“This is a deliberate attempt to hide the truth about my son’s death. Linking my wife to a bar business is just a diversion,” said Korir.
Human Rights Activist Condemns Delays in Case
Eldoret-based human rights activist Kimutai Kirui has strongly condemned the court orderlies and judicial system for the prolonged delay in handling Cheruiyot’s case, which was postponed multiple times, resulting in his seven-month detention.
“It is unacceptable that a young man was left to languish in remand for months without his case being concluded. This failure of the justice system needs to be investigated,” said Kirui.
He further raised concerns about possible foul play in Cheruiyot’s death, calling for an independent pathologist to be involved in the postmortem examination.
“Given the circumstances surrounding this case, we demand that an independent pathologist oversee the postmortem to ensure transparency and accountability,” he added.
Police Account vs. Family’s Suspicions
According to Turbo Sub-County Police Commander Patrick Wekesa, Cheruiyot allegedly hanged himself using his sweater and trouser laces after failing to convince his mother to withdraw the case.
“Before committing suicide in the cell, he had called his mother, pleading with her to withdraw the case, but she declined,” an inmate at the facility revealed.
Wekesa stated that efforts to save Cheruiyot were unsuccessful.
“We received reports that while in the holding cell, he removed his trouser lace and tied it to the window grills. Other inmates noticed when he became unresponsive. They untied him and rushed him to MTRH, but he was pronounced dead upon arrival,” he said.
However, a senior officer at Eldoret Main Prison, where Cheruiyot had been remanded, disclosed that he had previously attempted suicide, raising further questions about his mental health and the care provided while in custody.
Court Proceedings and Pending Investigations
Cheruiyot was first arraigned on May 27, 2024, after allegedly breaking into Round Point Bar on May 24, 2024. Initially, he pleaded guilty but later changed his plea to not guilty.
Despite multiple court adjournments, his mother reportedly refused to withdraw the case, leading to prolonged detention.
His case was last mentioned before Eldoret Senior Resident Magistrate Kimani Mukabi, who had scheduled it for March 27, 2025, for further directions.
The police have since transferred his body to the MTRH morgue as investigations into the true cause of his death continue.
Unanswered Questions
With conflicting reports surrounding the young man’s tragic death, his family and human rights activists are demanding justice, questioning why he remained in remand for seven months without trial and whether foul play was involved in his death.
“We need the truth. My son did not deserve to die this way,” pleaded Chepngetich.
Kirui and other rights activists have vowed to pursue the case until justice is served, warning against any attempt to cover up the real cause of Cheruiyot’s death.
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