Man found guilty for killing woman over marriage refusal

A man has been found guilty of killing a woman for turning down his marriage proposal.

Justice Janet Mulwa ruled that Denis Kipkoech killed Rose Awori on December 6, 2016, at Ingobor, Kapkures location, Nakuru County. 

Ms Mulwa said that although no witnesses saw the accused chopping off the woman’s head, three witnesses placed him on the scene of the crime.

“There is sufficient circumstantial evidence that links the offence to the accused,” said Mulwa. She said that prosecution evidence in its totality formed a very strong chain linking the accused to the murder.

“The murder weapon, a machete, was found beside the body of the deceased inside the accused person’s house. The accused was also found in the house, with his hands soaked in blood,” she said.

Mulwa added that not only did the accused fail to explain how the body got into his house, but no evidence was tendered to show that any other person visited the house.

Kipkoech was arraigned on February 6, 2017 and denied the murder charge. Prosecution called six witnesses.

Hillary Mutua testified that he knew the accused because he used to work at his uncle’s farm.

Mutua testified that on the fateful day, the accused called him to his house and informed him that he had murdered Awori because she rejected his request to marry her.

“I found the accused seated at the cattle yard. He was drunk and his hands were soaked in blood. He led me to his house where I found the deceased lying on the floor with her head decapitated,” said Mutua.

Dr Titus Ngulungu, a pathologist, testified the woman’s head around the neck was completely decapitated by a sharp object, severing all neck veins and nerves.