Suspect who confessed to killing Nakuru women jailed for 28 years

The High Court in Nakuru has convicted a man who confessed to killing women in the region.

Justice Patricia Gichohi sentenced Evans Michori Kebwaro to 28 years in prison for the murder of Diana Opicho on June 24, 2022, at Mawanga.

Earlier, Justice Hedwig Ong’udi had sentenced Kebwaro to 12 years for the murder of Beatrice Akinyi on December 2, 2021.

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He killed Akinyi, set her body on fire, took her phone, and used it on two occasions, January 6 and January 31, 2022, leading to his arrest and that of the other suspects. The group also faced charges for the murders of Grace Wanjiku, Susan Wambui, Akinyi, and Opicho between December 21, 2021, and June 24, 2022.

Kebwaro pleaded guilty to the murders of the four women and agreed to act as a state witness.

He told the court that he and his five accomplices met on June 23, 2022, near Nakuru South Cemetery, where two accomplices planned an attack on the homestead of Joshua Mukoya, where Opicho was staying. Each member was assigned a specific role.

“We were advised that one person should gain entry to confirm that the owner had left. One of the accused persons was ferried to the house around 3am by two co-accused, and the rest met at 9am at Nakuru South Cemetery,” Kebwaro testified.

He explained how they gained access to Mukoya’s house at 10am. After receiving confirmation that the coast was clear, they entered through the back door. The deceased was found in the living room, where one of the gang members tied a wire around her neck and questioned her about the homeowner’s occupation.

Kebwaro was then instructed to locate a bag to pack a 32-inch television and a woofer, while other accomplices searched the house for valuables.

Two gang members proceeded to the deceased’s bedroom, killed her, and then rejoined the others in the living room. Kebwaro stated that they all sexually assaulted the deceased under the gang leader’s orders before covering her with bedding. After the assault, Kebwaro began packing the TV set but noticed the homeowner entering the compound. He dropped the bag, alerted the gang, and they fled on motorcycles, regrouping later in the afternoon.

State counsel James Kihara informed the court that Opicho’s relatives had employed her as a house manager. He explained that Mukoya had left the house that morning with his family, leaving the deceased alone, only to return to a chaotic scene around 1:30pm.

Mukoya discovered Opicho’s partially covered body in her bedroom after finding signs of a struggle in the house and the television set missing. He reported the incident, and her body was taken to Rift Valley General Hospital for preservation and a post-mortem.

The post-mortem report indicated that Opicho had suffered various injuries, including bruises on her head, neck, hands, and inner genital surfaces.