Man, 22, in court over murder of 'his 64-year-old girlfriend'

Anthony Kiplagat (left) when he appeared at Nanyuki Law Courts yesterday alongside Beth Wanjiru Maina (right). Kiplagat is alleged to have murdered Priscillah Waithera on Saturday night. [PHOTO: Job Weru/standard]

A 22-year-old man accused of killing a 64-year-old woman said to be his lover appeared in a Nanyuki court.

Anthony Kiplagat was taken to court yesterday following his arrest by police  over the murder of Priscillah Waithera at her residence in Muthaiga Estate in the town last weekend.

Kiplagat was arraigned in court alongside Beth Wanjiru Maina. The two were arrested following the Saturday night murder of the businesswoman in Nanyuki town.

Principal Magistrate Waititu Gichimu allowed police to remand the accused persons for two weeks to conclude investigations.

Criminal Investigations Officer Reuben Kiptoo applied to have the suspects detained at Nanyuki Police Station.

Kiptoo also applied that the suspects be taken to Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital for psychiatric assessment and blood sample test.

Kiptoo told the court that the samples were needed for purposes of comparison.

“Your honour, I wish to apply to have the two suspects locked up at Nanyuki Police Station for 14 days so that we can complete investigations. The suspects were arrested in connection with a murder incident which occurred on Saturday night,” said Kiptoo.

Wanjiru told the court that she met the suspect about two years ago but he went missing until Sunday when he reappeared.

“He did not even know where I live and he asked the way (to my house) from neighbours. He also brought a suitcase to my house. I did not know what he had done,” Wanjiru said.

Gichimu ordered the suspects be detained at Nanyuki Police Station until March 16 when their case will be mentioned.

The deceased was a financial controller at a leading hotel but was retrenched and started a business.

Mobile Phone

Kiplagat was arrested in Karatina town. Police sources indicated that he was arrested at a petrol station while refuelling the deceased’s vehicle which he allegedly escaped in after committing the murder.

Laikipia County Police Commander Angelus Karuru said the suspect was taken to Nanyuki Police Station after he was arrested.

The vehicle, a Suzuki Escudo, was also towed to Nanyuki Police Station.

Investigators who talked to The Standard on condition of anonymity said Kiplagat did not have the deceased’s mobile phone when he was arrested and it is believed he sold it so as to raise money to buy fuel.

“We suspect he sold the phone so as to get money for fuel since during his arrest he had just asked his friends in Nanyuki to send him Sh500,” said Karuru.

A police officer at Nanyuki Police Station said the suspect was hosted in Kibirigwi, Kirinyaga County, by a woman who was arrested alongside him.