The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions on Wednesday charged a Kericho man with murdering his 100-year-old mother.
Prosecutors allege the accused used a motor vehicle in the killing, linked to an inheritance dispute. The suspect denied the charges in court and was denied bond, with the case set for mention in May.
According to the prosecution, the accused is alleged to have murdered his mother, Grace Chelangat, aged 100, on March 7, 2026.
The incident is said to have occurred at Kiptere location in Sigowet Sub-County, Kericho County.
The prosecution, led by David Fedha, told the court that the accused “rammed and killed his mother with a motor vehicle.”
The court was further informed that the accused had been “pestering for inheritance of the property, which led to the killing,” pointing to a possible motive rooted in family conflict over assets.
The accused appeared before Joseph Sergon, where he entered a plea of not guilty to the murder charge.
Following submissions by the prosecution, the court denied the accused bond after the state opposed his release, citing the seriousness of the allegations.
The decision to deny bond means that the accused will remain in custody as the case proceeds through the judicial process.
The matter has been scheduled for mention on May 12, 2026, when the court is expected to give further directions ahead of the pre-trial stage.
The case has drawn attention due to the age of the victim and the nature of the allegations, which involve a close family relationship between the accused and the deceased.
Authorities have not disclosed further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident beyond what was presented in court.
Legal experts note that murder charges under Sections 203 and 204 of the Penal Code carry serious consequences if proven, including severe penalties upon conviction.
The prosecution is required to establish beyond reasonable doubt that the accused caused the death of the deceased with malice aforethought.
In this case, the prosecution has indicated that it will rely on evidence presented in court to demonstrate the alleged sequence of events and the motive behind the incident.
The claim that the accused used a motor vehicle as the means of committing the offence adds a significant dimension to the case, which is expected to be examined further during trial proceedings.
The court’s decision to deny bond also reflects the gravity with which such offences are treated, particularly where the prosecution raises concerns regarding the accused’s release.
While the defence is expected to challenge the allegations during the trial, the case will now proceed to the next phase of the legal process.
The mention scheduled for May 12 will likely set the stage for pre-trial preparations, including disclosure of evidence and identification of witnesses who may be called to testify. The court will also determine timelines for the hearing of the case.
As the proceedings continue, attention will remain on the developments in court, particularly given the serious nature of the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the death of the elderly victim.
The case reaffirms the role of the judicial system in addressing serious criminal offences and ensuring that due process is followed.
The outcome will ultimately depend on the evidence presented and the court’s determination based on the law.
Until then, the accused remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in accordance with legal standards.
