Athlete held over high school teacher’s death

A US-based athlete has been arrested by police in Eldoret following the killing of a secondary school teacher in Outspan Estate.

Kapseret sub-county Commander Francis Warui said the suspect, who is alleged to be the husband of Gloria Sangutei, was detained after presenting himself to police on Tuesday.

“The suspect showed up at the Kiambaa Police Post and said he wanted to confirm if it was his wife who was found murdered at a farm in Ancilla, Outspan. But he gave contradicting information when questioned by police in Langas,” Mr Warui said.

He added: “We will interrogate him about his whereabouts concerning the nature of the events that took place. If we find no links to him, he will be released."

Sangutei's body was found near a maize plantation Monday morning by residents who were going to work.

They informed the Segemyat assistant chief, who alerted the authorities. Police said they found a rope suspected to have been used to strangle Sangutei lying about 10m from the body.

Sangutei was a teacher at Ngeria Girls Secondary School, about 20km from Eldoret town. She is said to have been killed when she left her rental house to meet someone at a nearby shopping centre.

Valantine Kibor, a neighbour, told The Standard she had spoken to Sangutei on the evening before her disappearance.

Ms Kibor said Sangutei told her she was going to visit someone and wanted company, but she declined because she was busy doing house chores.

“I was shocked that the body the people were viewing after it was brought by the police was that of my friend Gloria. I had talked to her on Sunday at around 5.30pm when she requested that I go with her to Kenhood Apartments,” Kibor said.

Police said they had started investigations to establish how Sangutei met her death.