Detectives based at Turbo in Uasin Gishu County have launched a manhunt for a suspect who murdered his week-old stepson on January 24, 2023, at 4 am, before escaping into the darkness.
In the shocking incident that has plunged Tarus village in Tapsagoi location into mourning, the suspect identified as Daniel Kipchumba is suspected to have killed the infant after tricking his wife to go outside the house and call for help after feigning sickness.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Kipchumba reunited with his wife of 12 years Grace Atwoli in December 2022 after they separated in 2019, though she was heavily pregnant for another man.
This appeared to have irked the man who had since married another woman during the first wife’s absence and moved in with her, in his mother’s compound. But unknown to Grace, he had hatched a plot to take away the life of her little bundle of joy.
“Early this morning at around 4 am, the suspect lied to his wife that he was feeling quite unwell and asked her to call his mother and his second wife to assist him to the hospital. But when she returned accompanied by her stepmother and co-wife, Kipchumba was nowhere to be seen,” the DCI said in a statement on their verified Social Media pages.
Marks on neck
The police further said the three stumbled on the lifeless body of the week-old baby lying on a mattress. He had visible marks on the neck and blood oozing from the nose and mouth.
“The baby’s head also appeared to have been hit with a blunt object,” noted the DCI in the statement.
The scene has since been processed and documented by crime scene personnel and the body was moved to the Kimbilio Nursing Home Hospital morgue awaiting autopsy.
Detectives are currently on a manhunt for the suspect to answer to charges of murder.
“Should you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Daniel Kipchumba, please let us know through #FichuakwaDCI 0800722203 or report to the nearest police station for action,” DCI also appealed.
