Conflicting reports over arrest of varsity girl murder suspects

A fire lit by Moi University students protesting the brutal rape and murder of their colleague. [PHOTO: ELIUD KIPSANG/STANDARD]

Uasin Gishi, Kenya: Conflicting reports are emerging following investigations into the murder of a female student at Moi University, Eldoret.

The university’s Chief Security Officer, Charles Chamanda told The Standard that police have arrested two men, suspected to have been behind the student’s murder and who are believed to be former students at the university.

The security boss said the two suspects were arrested at Talai market inside the institution at around 7pm last Sunday but refused to divulge which year the suspected former students graduated or what courses they were pursuing.

Mr Chamanda said a mobile phone, suspected to be linked to the killers, was recovered at the murder scene but also observed that the phone could also have belonged to the deceased.

“Two suspects have so far been arrested and they are assisting criminal investigation officers unearth perpetrators of the gruesome murder,” he said.

These allegations have however, been denied by County Criminal Investigations boss, Isaac Lutere, who said investigations are still ongoing and police are yet to arrest any suspects.

ANGRY STUDENTS

The deceased, Charity Maina, was a third year Bachelor of Arts, Education student.

She was allegedly raped before being strangled and stabbed to death and her body was later dumped at Talai market within the campus.

News of her murder sparked outrage from students and culminated in a series of confrontations between them and police.

Close friends of the deceased have said Charity was an ardent Christian Union (CU) member who had spent the better part of the day at the library before joining colleagues for prayers at around 9pm.

It is suspected that she was attacked after she left the CU meeting and her body dumped at a bus terminus where it was discovered on Sunday morning.

The discovery sparked outrage among students who poured onto the streets to protest increased insecurity.

The protesting students pelted police officers with stones before setting their vehicle ablaze as they tried to move the body to the mortuary.

It was later transported using the university ambulance.

Last Monday, the students converged at the administration block to show their dissatisfaction with the speed with which investigations are being conducted.

They demanded to be addressed by Vice-Chancellor Prof Richard Mibey who assured them that those involved in the murder will face the law.