Suspects in murder of marathoner Samson Kandie seek plea deal

Two men facing charges over the death of former marathon champion Samson Kandie have requested a plea deal with the state, leaving the runner’s widow, Rose Chepkemboi, outside the process.

State prosecutor Sidi Kirenge told Justice Reuben Nyakundi that the accused, Vincent Kiprono and Jamlick Morogit, had submitted a letter to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) expressing their interest in pursuing a plea bargain.

“The two have written to the ODPP applying to enter into a plea bargain, and we request time to consider the application,” Kirenge said as quoted by The Star.

Chepkemboi, who is jointly charged with the men, is not part of the plea deal. All three deny killing Kandie at his home in Elgon View Estate, Eldoret, on October 2, 2024.

Under a plea bargain, the suspects could plead guilty to the offence in exchange for a lighter sentence or assist the state as witnesses. The court has set October 16 as the next date to hear updates on the request.

The trial has heard from five witnesses so far, including Kandie’s daughter, Vienna, who described a long history of conflict between her parents. She said her mother often accused Kandie of having extramarital affairs, which he consistently denied.

“I always heard them quarrelling with my mother, claiming that our father was going outside their marriage with another woman,” Vienna testified, naming the alleged woman in court. She recalled that Kandie even handed his phone to Chepkemboi to verify the claims, but no evidence was found.

Vienna said that on October 1, 2024, after a bitter argument, her father left home, saying he wanted to “look for peace which he could not find at his home.” She tried to persuade him to stay, but he insisted on leaving.

The following evening, Vienna and her mother were at her shop before heading home. She said Chepkemboi kept asking her to call Kandie, but he did not respond. Later, someone answered on Kandie’s phone and told Vienna to check the toilet, where she found her father badly beaten, with his hands tied, swollen head, and bleeding eyes.

Vienna testified that her mother told her not to alert anyone, insisting they would take Kandie to the hospital themselves. Kandie was rushed to Top Hill Hospital but later died from his injuries.

She also said her mother seemed unconcerned, even smiling while making calls and commenting that Kandie had received “a thorough beating from God.”

The plea bargain application is expected to be discussed further during the next court session, which will also review the prosecution’s response.

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