Security guard pleads guilty to murder of Karatina University student Philis Jepleting

Ezra Kemboi was arrested on January 11 by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

A security guard has pleaded guilty to the murder of Karatina University student, Philis Jepleting at Nakuru City's Naka Estate December last year.

Ezra Kemboi, who appeared before Nakuru High Court Judge Justice Teresia Matheka, in his own admission said he murdered Jepleting, 19, on the night of December 26 and 27.

She was studying for a Bachelor's degree in Education (Mathematics and Biology) certificate. It was alleged that the accused and the deceased were in a love affair.

He pleaded to the charge after being held in police detention for a period of 14 days. He was declared fit to stand trial after undergoing a mental assessment.

He will now know his fate on January 24, 2023.

Kemboi's sister who was sitting behind him in the court yesterday, was in shock when he pleaded guilty to the murder charge after the judge read the charge to him.

Ms Matheka, not satisfied with his answer, explained to him the repercussions of admitting to the murder charge.

"Before the court records the guilty plea, it is my duty to explain to you that the murder charge carries the death penalty if found guilty or if you admit to the charge," Matheka explained to Kemboi.

The judge read the charge for the second time, but Kemboi still admitted to the charge, "Yes I killed Jepleting," he answered.

Prosecutor Loice Murunga prayed for time until Tuesday next week, to prepare for the facts of the case.

On her part, Matheka ordered that Kemboi undergoes counseling. This is after she noted that a medical report suggested that Kemboi has a history of depression episodes.

"The accused will undergo counseling and psychiatric tests before the facts of the case are read to him again next week," the judge directed.

Kemboi will be detained at Nakuru GK Prisons, awaiting facts reading, mitigation and sentencing.

He is said to have killed Jepleting and left her body to decompose inside his house at Naka estate.

Police believe Kemboi was Jeruto's boyfriend and said she had visited him on December 19, 2022.

He was arrested on January 11 by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, while attempting suicide in Nandi South.

Blood-stained bedding, clothes, and Jeruto's identification documents were among the items recovered at his house.

A Post mortem report suggested that Jepleting might have died from strangulation.