18-Year-Old Linked to Murder of 2 Elderly Women Arrested

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Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested an 18-year-old suspect linked to the murder of two elderly women.

In a statement on Sunday, August 23, DCI said the suspect, identified as Ezekiel Nyongesa Barasa, attacked an 84-year-old woman in Trans Nzoia.

The elderly woman was admitted to Cherangany Nursing Home after the attack but succumbed to the injuries.

“The victim, Florence Khosa, 84, was admitted to Cherangany Nursing Home after sustaining serious injuries in the attack.

“Despite the medical team’s determined efforts to save her life, she succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment,” read the statement in part.

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The DCI detectives then launched a manhunt for the suspect who had reportedly gone into hiding.

After a series of investigations and police operations, the detectives tracked down and arrested Barasa.

“He was subsequently subjected to an identification parade, where witnesses positively identified him,” DCI said.

The detectives also uncovered another lead linking the suspect to the alleged killing of an 86-year-old woman in Bungoma County.

“But as detectives dug deeper, another lead surfaced, linking the suspect to another alleged killing involving an 86-year-old woman in Tongaren, Bungoma County,” DCI said.

Further, DCI said preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect may have sexually assaulted the victim before her death.

“Detectives are now leaving no stone unturned as forensic examinations and other critical lines of investigation are being pursued to reconstruct the events and establish the full circumstances surrounding the offences,” DCI said.

The 18-year-old is currently in police custody and is being processed ahead of his arraignment in court.

This comes days after DCI detectives arrested five suspects linked to the murder of former Councillor Nathan Wasama.

Detectives first arrested three suspects and recovered several weapons during the raid, including a military-style smoke jacket and a stun grenade.

The officers also recovered three axes, a crowbar, three folding pangas, two pangas, two knives, five arrows, three motorcycles, two mobile phones and an iPod.

Two suspects, Robert Kimutai Psisei alias Robert Miti and Brian Chongin Kaos, later surrendered themselves at Cheptais and Chwele Police Stations, respectively.

"Robert Kimutai Psisei, alias Robert Miti, surrendered at Cheptais Police Station this morning. He was arrested, escorted, and booked at Sirisia Police Station.

"Another suspect, Brian Chongin Kaos, surrendered at Chwele Police Station, where he was taken into custody," DCI said.

Reporting originally appeared via Nairobi Leo. Read the full source for additional context.