Soldier suspected of killing minor surrenders to authorities

A soldier suspected to have killed his neighbor’s 15-year-old son in Njoro, Nakuru County over a mobile phone has surrendered to the police.

The 30-year-old Kenya Defense Force (KDF) officer, a Corporal stationed at the National Defense College in Karen, Nairobi surrendered at Njoro Police Station on Wednesday morning.

The officer allegedly committed the offense two weeks ago.

Njoro Sub County Police boss Muganda Kisaka said the soldier is being interrogated by detectives at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Kisaka said police used diplomacy to have the soldier surrender and face the accusations.

“The solder reported at our station at 8.30am and wrote a statement,” said Kisaka.

It is alleged that the soldier may have used excessive force in disciplining Collins Kiptoo on October 3, for allegedly stealing a mobile phone worth Sh900, that belonged to the soldier’s mother.

Preliminary investigations reveal that the soldier summoned the boy to his home- where he interrogated and later allegedly assaulted him using crude weapons.

The deceased' father Richard Kibet, said the soldier picked and detained the minor in his home for hours where it is claimed that he beat him to try and establish where the phone was.

Kibet claimed his son was unconscious and blood was oozing from his ears and mouth when the soldier dragged him out of the homestead.

"My son could not walk, had breathing difficulties with a swollen body. I am still pained by his death, and I hope justice will be served after the arrest of the soldier,” he said.

The boy was taken to a private health facility at Kaptich trading center where he was then refereed to Njoro Sub County hospital for specialized treatment.

He was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.