Suspect in murder of Karatina University student to be detained for 14 days

A security guard suspected to have killed a Karatina University student in Nakuru last month has been detained for 14 days to allow the police to complete investigations.

Ezra Kemboi is said to have killed Phyllis Jeruto,19, inside his house at Naka estate within Nakuru County.

The two are said to have been lovers. Kemboi is accused of killing the woman and leaving her body in his house to decompose.

The incident reportedly happened on December 19, 2022, when Jeruto is said to have visited Kemboi at his house.

The victim was a First Year student at the university pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Education (Mathematics and Biology).

On Thursday, Nakuru Principal Magistrate Isaac Orenge ordered that the suspect be detained at Nakuru Central Police Station pending the conclusion of investigations.

"There being no objection to the application, the suspect is to be detained for two weeks at the Central Police Station pending completion of investigations," ruled Orenge.

Police believe Kemboi was Jeruto's boyfriend. Investigating officer Constable David Kipkoros told court they needed time to do DNA tests, record witness statements and interrogate Kemboi.

Kipkoros said Kemboi was arrested on Wednesday at Kobochoi estate in Nandi South by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations before he was transferred to Nakuru.

According to Kipkoros, the suspect was trying to commit suicide after he received information detectives were after him.

Police believe Jeruto was killed five days before her body was discovered. A post-mortem report suggests cause of death as strangulation. The matter will resume on January 19.