Eldoret woman admits killing son
A 26-year-old mother accused of stabbing to death her two-year-old son and critically injuring her six year-old daughter due to domestic feud with her estranged husband will be detained for 21 days pending investigations, an Eldoret court has directed.
Senior Principal Magistrate Richard Otenyo directed the suspect, namely Christabel Jepkosgei, be detained at Eldoret Central Police station cells for 21 days pending the outcome of police investigations.
While making an application to detain the suspect through a sworn affidavit filed in court, investigating officer Corporal Edward Ndemo, attached to the directorate of criminal investigations department, Turbo Sub County, Mr Ndemo said that he is yet to complete investigations.
Mr Ndemo further told the court that police are yet to record statements from key witnesses.
“Your honor, we want to take the woman to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital for a mental assessment to determine whether she is fit to stand murder trial. We also want to take a blood sample from her and the knife she used in the murder of her son to be subjected to forensic analysis at government chemistry,” said Ndemo.
He informed the packed court that the slain two year old boy was buried on the same day he was killed, according to Islamic rules adding that the six year old girl is still fighting for her life in the Intensive Care Unit at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Ms Jepkosgei is alleged to have stabbed her son on the neck using a kitchen knife leading to his death in her rental house at West Indies estate, situated two kilometers from Eldoret town’s central business district.
While responding to an application to be detained for 21 days ,she confessed to killing her son, attributing the heinous act to stress and persistent depression.
“I did not intend to harm any of my children whom I loved so much but I was forced to kill my son due to stress and depression. Nobody in my family wanted to listen to my problems that I was facing in my marriage,” said Ms Jepkosgei.
She opened up by explaining that she has been going through tough times in her marriage and whenever she approached her family for help, nobody wanted to listen to her.
“I am very sorry for what has happened to my son and daughter. I did not intend to kill him or harm my daughter but it was just due to stress and depression that had taken a toll on my life,” she told the court.
Her act shocked tenants at West Indies estate after the incident came into limelight alleging that she butchered her two-year-old son in cold blood.
The woman also reportedly assaulted her six year old daughter who is currently fighting for her life at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret before attempting to commit suicide using the same weapon.
Following an application by the investigating officer, the court ordered for her detention for the requested period.
“ I direct that the suspect be detained at Eldoret Central Police station cells until June 19 when the matter will be mentioned,” ordered Mr Odenyo.