Police Officer Found Guilty of Murdering Estranged Husband in Eldoret
Justice Reuben Nyakundi, presiding over the case, dismissed the defense presented by Lillian Biwott as a “mere story” and ruled that the evidence clearly demonstrated her guilt in the killing of her husband
Police Constable Lillian Biwott appears before Eldoret High Court Judge Reuben Nyakundi, where she was found guilty of murdering her husband, Victor Kipchumba, in 2023.
A police constable accused of murdering her estranged husband has been convicted of murder by the Eldoret High Court.
Justice Reuben Nyakundi, presiding over the case, dismissed the defense presented by Lillian Biwott as a “mere story” and ruled that the evidence clearly demonstrated her guilt in the killing of her husband, Victor Kipchumba. Kipchumba, a matatu driver on the Eldoret-Iten route, was shot dead in October 2023 at their rented home in Kimumu Estate, Uasin Gishu County.
Delivering his judgment, Justice Nyakundi stated, “I have with great care considered all evidence from the defense and prosecution, and I find all the ingredients of murder proven beyond reasonable doubt. I find Lillian Biwott guilty of the offense of murder as charged and convict her accordingly.”
The judge rejected Biwott’s plea to reduce the charge to manslaughter, noting the overwhelming evidence from the prosecution. He emphasized the lethal intent demonstrated by the number of bullets fired from her AK-47 rifle, ruling out claims of self-defense.
Biwott, a mother of four, had been charged with murdering Kipchumba on October 9, 2023. During her defense, she argued that the fatal shooting occurred in self-defense after a heated quarrel escalated, claiming her husband tried to seize her service weapon.
“Had I not acted fast by snatching my gun from him, he would have killed me using the same weapon since he knows how to handle the gun,” she testified. She further alleged that her late husband had a history of domestic abuse and infidelity, accusing him of sexually assaulting their housemaid and frequently returning home drunk to initiate fights.
“My late husband always accused me of being unfaithful to our marriage just to divert attention when he was the one on the wrong. He would come into the house drunk and start a fight with me, threatening to kill me for no apparent reason,” Biwott told the court. She added that their marriage, which began in 2013, had been marred by constant conflicts.
Justice Nyakundi announced that Biwott’s sentencing is scheduled for December 16.
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