Slain athlete’s daughter: Mother seemed happy as medics fought to save Kandie

A daughter of slain former marathon champion Samson Kandie stunned a court in Eldoret as she testified against her mother, whom she accused of appearing cheerful even as medics battled to save the athlete’s life.

Kandie had been rushed to hospital after an attack at their home.

Vienna Chepchirchir told the court she was shocked that her mother, Rose Chepkemboi Rotich, seemed happy while others at the hospital were in distress.

“I even saw her smiling while making calls, and at one point I heard her say that Kandie had received a thorough beating from God,” Vienna testified.

She was testifying before Justice Reuben Nyakundi in a case where Chepkemboi and two other suspects, Vincent Ngososei Kiprono and Jamlick Kiptoon Morogit, are charged with Kandie’s murder.

Chepkemboi (Vienna's mother), a clinical officer and mother of four, alongside her co-accused, denied killing the 53-year-old former Kenyan marathoner on the night of October 3, 2024, at their Elgon View estate home in Eldoret City.

In her testimony, Vienna described frequent quarrels between her parents, allegedly over claims of infidelity.

“I always heard them quarrelling, with my mother accusing my father of being involved with another woman,” she said.

She added that Kandie always denied the accusations and had asked her mother to provide evidence.

At one point, Vienna said Kandie handed his phone to Chepkemboi, asking her to find the alleged woman’s number.

“My mother looked but did not find it. They continued quarrelling, and I believed my father was innocent,” she added.

On October 1, 2024, following a heated argument, Vienna said Kandie left home, telling her he was seeking peace elsewhere. She pleaded with him to stay, but he insisted on leaving.

The following day, while at her shop about a kilometre from their house, Vienna called her mother to ask if they could walk home together, fearing her father’s reaction if she arrived late.

Chepkemboi arrived at the shop at about 7:40 pm, and after speaking briefly with the landlord, they walked home, arriving at 8:00 pm.

Along the way, Chepkemboi repeatedly urged Vienna to call her father, but Kandie did not answer.

Upon arrival, they found his car in the compound, but the house lights were off.

“I rushed inside and switched on the lights, but my father was not there. I made more calls, and eventually, a man answered and told me to check the toilet. He also asked why Kandie had been ‘messing around with his wife’ before hanging up,” Vienna said.

She ran to the toilet and found Kandie nearby, his hands tied, his head swollen and bleeding, and in visible pain.

“I screamed for help, but my mother told me to stop making noise for the neighbours. She also asked me not to call anyone, saying we would take Kandie to the hospital ourselves,” Vienna recounted.

She said her mother gave Kandie some water as she tried to call a relative who is a nurse for assistance.

Two watchmen helped carry Kandie to the car, and he was rushed hospital, where he was taken to the emergency area.

While waiting for doctors to attend to Kandie, Vienna said she noticed her mother making phone calls and smiling.

“I was surprised because everyone else was distressed, but she looked happy,” she told the court.

Vienna said her relationship with her father had improved in recent years, though her relationship with her mother later soured, as Chepkemboi believed she was siding with Kandie.

The prosecution has lined up over 20 witnesses as the hearing continues.