Man accused of killing 21-year-old student set to know his fate next month

The High Court will next month determine whether a man accused of murdering a student will be put to his defence.

Idd Mustafa, who is the prime suspect in the heinous murder of 21-year-old Emmah Wanyota, will know his fate on March 29 when Justice Reuben Nyakundi of the High Court in Eldoret makes his ruling.

The pre-trial began in September 2019 and the prosecution closed its case last month after calling more than 10 witnesses.

The witnesses included Emmah's relatives among them her mother Beatrice Wanyota, and officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations at the Moi's Bridge Police Station, led by investigating officer Veronica Muinamu. A younger brother of the suspect also testified.

Emmah's mother recounted the trauma she underwent at the scene after viewing the mutilated body of her daughter which was discovered in a shallow grave.

Beatrice said the suspect subjected her daughter to a painful death after she rejected his sexual advances.

"When I arrived at the scene of the murder accompanied by my son, son-in-law and some neighbours, we were horrified by the manner in which my daughter's body had been chopped in pieces," said Beatrice.

Ms Muinamu told the court that the suspect ran to the police station to seek refuge claiming his life was in danger after committing the act.