Detectives arrest second suspect after woman’s body found at Lang’ata Cemetery

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have apprehended yet another suspect, identified as Jared Mong'are, linked to the murder of a woman whose remains were found at Lang'ata Cemetery on October 31.

Police believe the victim to be Deka Abdinoor, whose personal items were also recovered at the scene, potentially tying her death to suspect Hashim Dagane and his accomplice Jared Mong'are.

On October 31, DCI investigators discovered what they believe to be Deka's remains at the cemetery, along with several items believed to belong to her.

Among these were a blood-stained panga suspected to be the murder weapon, the clothes she was reportedly wearing, and other personal belongings. The findings sparked a coordinated investigation that eventually led detectives to Eldoret, where the suspect, Mong'are, was found.

Authorities confirmed that Mong'are was arrested from a hideout in Eldoret. He is suspected of having organised key aspects of the crime, including financial arrangements related to the property where the murder is believed to have occurred.

"The detectives established that Mong'are, who was smoked from his hideout in Eldoret town, is the person who not only handled all payment transactions relating to the client's stay at Lavington Valley Heights Apartment," read DCI's statement.

The apartment in question, located in Lavington, was reportedly used as an Airbnb and rented out by a businesswoman based in Kilimani. She had subleased the room from the apartment owner, paying a monthly rent of Sh55,000. DCI investigators believe that Mong'are covered the costs associated with the apartment, where the murder allegedly took place.

Detectives noted that the discovery of the crime scene became more complex due to the timing of events and a sudden change in the rental terms. DCI reported that the apartment owner issued a notice of rent increment starting in November 2024, prompting the Kilimani-based businesswoman to arrange for movers to remove her items on November 1, a day after CCTV cameras captured the prime suspect, Hashim, leaving the room on October 31.

This sequence of events led detectives to question the Airbnb operator, Alice Mbinya, who provided more details on the apartment's occupancy.

During the investigation, Mbinya informed the detectives that her belongings, moved from Valley Heights Apartment, were still intact as packed by the movers. Some items had been stored at her residence in Kilimani, while others were taken to her second business in Gatundu. Upon examining these belongings, detectives discovered a handbag that Mbinya stated was not among her items. The bag is now suspected to have belonged to Deka.

Following the leads from Kilimani, detectives extended their search to Gatundu. At the business location, they recovered a blood-stained panga and other items similar to those found at Lang'ata Cemetery.

Investigators noted that the suspect had seemingly attempted to clean traces of blood from the crime scene, but not thoroughly enough to avoid detection. They observed that the clean-up efforts appeared hurried, leaving behind evidence that could be processed.

Meanwhile, further analysis of the suspect's connection to the victim revealed that he had accessed her mobile phone or SIM card.

Investigators determined that he used the device to contact Deka's family multiple times after her disappearance, adding to the evidence trail. By analysing the suspect's communication, DCI officers traced his movements back to Lang'ata Cemetery, where they discovered a bag containing a mobile phone and clothes. The clothes reportedly matched descriptions of those worn by Deka when she was last seen, lending additional support to the investigation's findings.

The car used in the case, registration number KDD 737Q, was traced and recovered by detectives at the Ngara Civil Servants Estate. It has since been towed to DCI headquarters, where forensic experts are examining it for potential evidence.

The DCI noted that, despite apparent attempts to cover up the murder, critical evidence at the crime scene and in associated locations contributed to their ability to track down the suspect.