Bomet man arrested at hiding place days after wife's murder

Police in Bomet County have arrested a man who went underground after allegedly killing his wife following a domestic dispute.

Titus Rono, 24, is accused of slitting the throat of the mother of one using a sword, adding to the list of horrific murders that have taken place in the area.

The victim was identified as Ms Jasmine Cherotich Soi, a resident of Kiptagich in Kuresoi South, Nakuru County.

It was said that she met the suspect two months before and that they later moved in together as husband and wife. Ms Soi's child was from a previous relationship.

HIDEOUT

Ms Soi was attacked a week ago at Chebaibai village in Kipsonoi sub-location, Sotik, where the couple had been employed as farmhands.

She succumbed to her injuries while being taken to Kapkatet Sub-county hospital in the neighbouring Kericho county, a few kilometres from the scene of the attack.

Police arrested the man at Kakpkesosio in Chepalungu constituency where he had been holed up for a week after Ms Soi was murdered.

“The suspect has been flushed out of his hideout and is being held at Sotik Police Station. He will be arraigned to answer to murder charges,” Sotik Sub-county Police Commander Francis Nganga said on Wednesday..

MOBILE PHONE

Mr Rono, a resident of Cheborian village in Siongiroi ward, was arrested after he used a friend’s mobile phone to threaten a family that had hosted Ms Soi.

Detectives traced the owner of the phone who revealed where the man was hiding. They then laid an ambush.

“Police traced him to the hideout after he called a family that hosted the woman after they quarrelled. He threatened to return and kill not only the family members but also the child,” said a police source who did not want to be named for lack of authority to speak to the press.