Slain musician Chelele's husband found guilty of murder

Erick Musila, main suspect in the late Kalenjin singer Diana Chemutai alias Chelele murder case.

A man accused of killing his musician wife was yesterday convicted of murdering a surveyor.

Eric Musila (right) and his wife Diana Chemutai ‘Chelele’ had been charged with the 2012 murder of Eldoret-based surveyor Eliud Kipchirchir.

Chemutai would later be murdered in her home in 2016.

Justice David Majanja found Musila guilty of fatally shooting Kipchirchir.

The surveyor died from two gunshot wounds that fractured his skull. Medical reports presented in court showed that the surveyor was also burnt after being shot. The judge said evidence produced in court as well as testimonies from witnesses implicated the Administration Police officer in the murder.

Musila had asked the court to dismiss the case on grounds that prosecution did not have any witness statements.

But Justice Majanja disagreed, saying: “When examined alongside the prosecution’s case, I find this defence wanting.”

The judge noted that phone records indicated that Musila was in the same location with Kipchirchir while his firearm was also linked to the shooting.

“I, therefore, find Eric Musila Makau guilty of the murder of Eliud Kipchirchir Yego and I convict him accordingly,” said Justice Majanja.

Musila has 14 days to appeal the judgement, which was read by Justice Thrispisa Cherere.