Top politician's kin found dead

Police officers load the body of a man was found dumped in a suspected murder at Chepkanga in Uasin Gishu County. [Kevin Tunoi/Standard]

The body of a man was found in a hotel under construction in the outskirts of Eldoret town.

The body was found at Chepkanga in Moiben sub-county by a plumber who had been called to fix water pipes at the hotel yesterday afternoon.

Sources indicated that the man is a relative to a senior politician in the region.

Police are concealing the man's identity until the next of kin are notified.

By the time of going to press, security officials were trying to unravel the mystery of the man's death.

According to Jeremiah Rotich, the proprietor of the hotel, a plumber who had been called for maintenance was searching for a container to fetch water when he stumbled on the body.

“The plumber was looking for a tin when he walked to the area under construction and found the body of a well-dressed man,” said Mr Rotich.

Rotich said the man was a regular customer at the hotel and that he often visits during weekends.

“The man was seen in a neighbouring joint with some friends last weekend but we do not know how his body ended up here,” he said.

He said the hotel did not have a night guard at the time of the incident but has several CCTV cameras.

The hotel is located only a few metres from Chepkanga Chiefs Camp and the Administration Police (AP) post.

“Police are currently previewing CCTV footage to unravel what actually happened. We hope what transpired with be unraveled,” Rotich said.

Outgoing person

Lydia Koech, a businesswoman, who said she knew the man, described him as a friendly and polite person who related well with everyone.

“I last saw him last month. He is an outgoing person and normally buys meat from my butcher. We are shocked because we have never had such incident in the past. Chepkanga has good security,” she said.

Moiben Deputy County Commissioner Lilian Lagat said the incident was first reported at around 3pm at Chepkanga AP post.

“Investigations are ongoing to unravel the cause of death. We have not had any case of insecurity here and the incident is surprising,” she said.

She said the man was well known in the area, but his identity would only be released after his next of kin were notified.