A 23-year-old man suspected of the brutal murder of a Form Four student in Molo, Nakuru County, has been arrested following a sustained manhunt by detectives.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) identified the suspect as Walter Kipkoech, who was traced to a hideout in Lagwenda village, Kuresoi North.
According to the DCI statement on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, detectives from Molo, working alongside officers from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) at the Regional Criminal Investigations Headquarters in the Rift Valley, managed to arrest Kipkoech after tracking him down.
Kipkoech is suspected of killing 18-year-old Joy Wangui, a Form Four student at Molo Secondary School, whose body was discovered inside a house in Kiambaa area, Moto Location.
How the deceased was found
The DCI said Wangui’s brother had briefly left home for a nearby shop before returning to a horrifying scene.
“He returned to a horrifying scene: his sister lying in a pool of blood in the kitchen, her head severed from the body,” the DCI said.
Detectives who responded to the scene recovered several weapons believed to have been used in the killing.
“The responding detectives found the murder weapon, an axe, a panga and two knives, all bearing bloodstains, near the body,” the agency said.
The victim’s head was later discovered in a corridor, where investigators found a disturbing message allegedly written on the wall using blood.
“I love you Joy but never cheat, am sorry.”
Suspect was victim’s boyfriend
Preliminary investigations established that Kipkoech was the deceased’s boyfriend, with detectives pursuing a possible relationship dispute as the motive behind the killing.
The suspect reportedly fled immediately after the incident, prompting detectives to launch a manhunt that eventually led them to his hideout in Kuresoi North.
The DCI said Kipkoech was arrested while wearing clothes that allegedly raised further questions about his possible involvement in the killing.
“When the long arm of the law finally caught up with him, Kipkoech was wearing a blood-stained boxer, a white T-shirt bearing the deceased’s name at the hem, and black jeans with visible dry blood stains,” the agency said.
He was escorted to Molo Police Station, where he is undergoing processing pending arraignment.
“Detectives continue with investigations as they piece together the events leading to the horrific killing,” the DCI said.
The agency said it remained committed to establishing what happened to Wangui and ensuring that the person responsible faces justice.
“The DCI remains resolute in its pursuit of justice and will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all circumstances surrounding her death are brought to light,” the agency said.
The DCI further said that whoever is found responsible would “face the full force of the law.”
The agency conveyed its condolences to Wangui’s family, relatives and friends, describing her death as a tragic loss.
“Her life was tragically cut short,” the DCI said as it assured the family that investigations would continue.
Kipkoech remains in police custody pending his arraignment, while detectives continue gathering evidence to establish the circumstances and motive surrounding the killing.
