Police launch probe into murder of KDF soldier

Hooded KDF officer during patrol in Pipeline Estate to help in quelling riots that saw locals and police engage in push and pull. The presence of the officer were met with honor as the public cheered and welcomed them. They then escorted motorists who were stranded to safety. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

Police in Trans Nzoia county have launched investigations into the murder of a KDF soldier in Endebess on Wednesday night.

According to a police report at Endebess sub-county police division, Corporal James Ojuku Mudongi who was based in Gilgil, was stabbed while in the company of a female friend at around 8pm.

The soldier and his female friend identified as Mercy Chebet were heading to Endebess town from Kitale when they were accosted by suspected assailants.

The two boarded a Toyota Probox which had other occupants who turned against them.

The matter was reported by the deceased soldier's brother Siriako Mahaga at around 12:47a.m on Thursday under Occurrence Book number 12 of 21/08/2024

"Preliminary investigations established that the two boarded a white Probox of unknown registration number which had four male occupants at Oronei area along Kitale-Endebess road at Maili Nane area. The vehicle turned off towards Endebess Technical Training Institute road instead of Endebess town which prompted the deceased to sense danger and jumped from the moving vehicle with the lady," reads the police report.

Police said the occupants of the vehicle followed the duo into a maize plantation where they stabbed the soldier on the abdomen.

"They also undressed the lady and attempted to rape her. Two bodaboda riders rescued them and took them to Kitale County Referral Hospital where the lady was treated and discharged in the morning," the police said.

Police said Mudongi was transferred to Recruits Training College (RTS) Forces Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.