Uasin Gishu police commander Wilberforce Sicharani in EldoretPolice in Eldoret have raised the alarm over an increase in deaths linked to violence and suspected love triangles, with six people dying in separate incidents this week.
The deaths include a couple who are suspected to have died by suicide and four others whose deaths are being investigated as possible murders.
In the latest incident, a young couple died at their home in Sogomo, on the outskirts of Eldoret city near the University of Eldoret on the road to Ziwa. Police suspect the deaths may have been linked to a love triangle.
Uasin Gishu county police commander Wilberforce Sicharani said the woman, aged 26, was a teacher at a local school while the man was 32.
Sicharani said police were called to the home after the man was found hanging from a tree, having allegedly used a manilla rope.
As officers investigated within the compound, they found the woman's body inside the house, with a container of a poisonous chemical next to her.
"Apparently she had consumed the poison and died in the house," Sicharani said.
Police also found a suicide note written by the man. While Sicharani did not disclose its contents, neighbours allegedly said the man had explained why he had taken his life.
The man is said to have suspected that his wife was having an affair with another man at the school where she taught.
It was not immediately clear how the two deaths occurred, with some neighbours claiming the man may have forced his wife to consume the poisonous chemical before hanging himself.
In the suicide note, the man had also indicated that his property, including a car, should be given to his mother.
"We have taken the bodies to the morgue as we continue with investigations into the incident," Sicharani said.
He said postmortems would be conducted on the bodies, which were taken to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary.
The incident left neighbours in shock, with Sicharani urging people facing challenges to seek counselling rather than resorting to suicide or violence.
Meanwhile, a court in Eldoret has allowed police to detain five people, including a couple, for two weeks following their arrest in connection with the murder of a top hotel manager.
The killing is also suspected to have been linked to a love triangle.
Resident magistrate Naima Chelagat allowed an application by investigators seeking to keep the suspects in custody pending the completion of investigations.
"I am satisfied that owing to the serious nature of the crime and the grounds for the application, it is critical that the suspects remain in custody for the period requested," the magistrate said.
The suspects, Allan Kiprotich, Elvis Ambani, Jackson Sifuna, Fredrick Seroney and Betty Jeptoo, will be detained at Naiberi police station.
The magistrate rejected a plea by lawyers representing the suspects to have them released pending investigations.
Investigating officer Eric Ruto told the court that police were investigating the murder of Peter Sema, who worked as the chief accountant at a leading hotel in the city.
Sema's body was found lying near Kipkorgot centre, a few yards from his car and near a home where he is suspected to have been beaten to death.
Ruto said the five were persons of interest in the investigation into an offence of murder.
In other incidents, a woman was found dead in a hotel room in the Jua Kali area. Her body was half-naked, and police are investigating the possibility that she was murdered.
In Kapkaren, another woman was found murdered, with her body placed in a sack. One suspect has been arrested in connection with the killing, while three other men are being sought for questioning.
In another case, a woman was found murdered in her house near the Kimumu area.
"We have an increasing number of such cases in our region and we urge those facing challenges in marriage or otherwise to seek counselling or use lawful means to sort out issues. They should not opt for killing or suicide," Sicharani said.
He also urged elders and religious leaders to help address such cases before they result in deaths.
Instant Analysis
The wave of deaths in Eldoret exposes a disturbing pattern of violence and suicide linked to relationship disputes. Six deaths in one week, including suspected murders and a couple’s apparent suicide, point to tensions that are escalating with fatal consequences. While police are investigating the circumstances surrounding each case, the incidents highlight the need for early intervention when domestic and relationship conflicts emerge. Police commander Wilberforce Sicharani’s call for counselling, alongside the involvement of elders and religious leaders, is timely. However, the scale of the incidents suggests a deeper community problem requiring sustained prevention efforts, accessible psychosocial support, and stronger mechanisms for resolving domestic disputes before they turn deadly.
