Police arrest 'key' suspect behind spate of murders

The Key suspect in Kericho murders Simeon Kipngeno (45).

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested a man believed to be the key suspect behind the recent spate of murders in Kericho County.

The 45-year-old suspect is said to have been disguising himself as a tailor, and was arrested on Monday night at his house in Londiani junction.

Kericho County Police Commander James Mugera said the detectives recovered various personal items belonging to the late Bernard Lang'at, his wife Khadija Lang'at and their five-year-old son.

The three were killed on March 2, at the house in Melit area 3km from Kericho town.

"Upon the search of the key suspect’s house in Londiani junction, where he had been disguising himself as a tailor, we recovered several items belonging to the victims," said Mr Mugera.

Documents recovered

Police recovered ID cards, a passport, ATM cards and a driver's licence.

"The other documents included an insurance card belonging to the couple's child," said Mugera.

The police commander added that the suspect could not give a satisfactory account of how he had obtained the documents.

"He could not also explain how he had obtained a TV, gas cookers and sewing machines," said Mugera.

He said the detectives had recovered from the suspect various house breaking implements.

"Investigations are ongoing and we believe it is only a matter of time before we arrest his accomplices. We have in custody two other persons of interest,” said the police officer.