Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Turbo have arrested an uncle and aunt accused of killing their 19-year-old nephew, Kevin Kipkorir Meli, in Kiplombe Location, Turbo Sub-County, following allegations of maize theft.
In a statement by the Director of Criminal Investigations, the fatal incident occurred on February 2, 2026, in Kaplelach village. Officers at Baharini Police Station said they “received a distress call about a person who had been brutally beaten to death,” prompting an immediate response.
“Without wasting a moment, officers raced to the scene,” where they found Kevin’s body lying beneath an avocado tree at his uncle’s homestead.
Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) officers who processed the area documented what police described as a disturbing scene.
According to the police, the victim’s body had “multiple injuries on his head, back, legs, and hands, with a blood clot in his nose,” indicating he had been subjected to severe violence.
His remains were later transported to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) morgue for preservation and a postmortem examination.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect's motive was linked to alleged theft. Police said Kevin was suspected of “stealing and selling dry maize from his uncle’s home.”
Investigators allege that instead of reporting the matter to authorities, the suspects took the law into their own hands.
In what detectives termed a “twisted act of retribution,” the uncle, identified as Phillip Kosgei, together with his wife Tecla Chepchirchir, allegedly tied the young man to an avocado tree before beating him with canes. Police say the assault continued until Kevin fell unconscious and later died from his injuries.
Detectives recovered several items believed to have been used in the attack, including “a manila rope, used to secure Kevin to the tree, and broken sticks, employed in the vicious assault,” which were found near the scene and booked as exhibits.
Both suspects are currently being held in police custody as investigators finalize their case. Police said the pair are undergoing processing and will be arraigned in court as investigations continue.
