54-Year-Old Arrested Over Death of Mentally Challenged Man Killed in Mob Attack

Detectives in Kiminini, Trans Nzoia County, have arrested a 54-year-old man in connection with the death of a mentally challenged man who was allegedly attacked by a mob after being mistaken for a thief.

In a statement on Tuesday, October 6, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the incident occurred in Milimani, Kiminini, where the victim, 35-year-old Dennis Imboha, had wandered away from his home before ending up at a neighbouring homestead.

According to the DCI, residents allegedly mistook Imboha for a thief and subjected him to a violent assault.

"Kiminini detectives in Trans Nzoia County have apprehended a 54-year-old man in connection with the gruesome murder of a mentally challenged man, who was mistaken for a thief and subjected to mob injustice in Milimani Location, Kiminini Sub-County," the statement read.

According to the agency, the victim reportedly suffered serious injuries during the attack and was rushed to hospital for treatment.

"During the savage assault, Dennis suffered multiple severe injuries and was taken to Kijana Wamalwa Hospital for treatment. Tragically, despite the efforts, he succumbed to his injuries while under medical care," the statement added.

Following the development, detectives visited the scene as they began investigations into the circumstances that led to Imboha's death.

"Following this, detectives swiftly arrived at the scene to collect evidence and process the area as part of their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Dennis’s death. His body was preserved at the hospital mortuary pending autopsy," the statement further read.

The DCI said an intelligence-led operation was later conducted in Milimani Location, resulting in the arrest of 54-year-old Joseph Apollo.

Apollo is currently being processed by detectives pending arraignment in court as investigations continue.

"Investigations are ongoing, with detectives pursuing additional leads to ensure that all those involved in this fatal assault are brought to justice," the statement noted.

The DCI expressed condolences to Imboha's family and warned members of the public against taking the law into their own hands.

"The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) conveys its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Dennis Imboha following his tragic death. The DCI remains firmly committed to uncovering the full circumstances surrounding his death and ensuring that every person found culpable faces the full force of the law. 

"Members of the public are, once again, reminded to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and to let the law take its due course," the statement concluded.

Meanwhile, detectives have arrested a 23-year-old suspect in connection with the brutal murder of Joy Wangui, a form four student at Molo Secondary School. 

In a statement, the agency said the suspect, Walter Kipkoech, was traced to a hideout in Lagwenda village, Kuresoi North.

According to the DCI, Kipkoech went into hiding immediately after he allegedly killed the 18-year-old form four student. 

"The suspect, Walter Kipkoech, 23, was traced to a hideout in Lagwenda village, Kuresoi North, where detectives from Molo, alongside their counterparts from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) at the Regional Criminal Investigations Headquarters, Rift Valley, smoked him out of his hideout.

"Kipkoech had reportedly fled immediately after the killing of 18-year-old Joy Wangui, a Form Four student at Molo Secondary School," the statement read.

Wangui’s lifeless body was discovered by her brother inside a house in the Kiambaa area of Moto Location, with her head severed from her body.

The investigative agency noted that detectives who responded to the incident found the murder weapon, an axe, a panga, and two knives, all bearing bloodstains.

The deceased’s head was later discovered in the corridor, where a message had allegedly been scrawled on the wall using blood. 

Preliminary investigations established that the 23-year-old suspect was Wangui’s boyfriend. 

Further, DCI said Kipkoech was wearing a blood-stained boxer, a white T-shirt bearing the deceased’s name at the hem, and black jeans with visible dry blood stains when he was apprehended. 

He was escorted to Molo Police Station, where he is undergoing processing pending arraignment.