Police in Nakuru are holding a 23-year-old man in connection with last month’s murder of an 18-year-old Form Four student in Molo sub-county.

The suspect, who detectives say has been on the run since early September, has been identified as Walter Kipkoech and was traced to a hideout in Lagwenda Village, within Kuresoi North Sub-County.

Confirming the arrest Molo Sub-County Police Commander Mr Justus Katana indicated that detectives from Molo, working with officers from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) at the Regional Criminal Investigations Headquarters, in Nakuru, arrested Kipkoech after monitoring and later tracking his movements.

The suspect had allegedly gone into hiding following the death of Joy Wangui, a Form-Four student at Molo Secondary School.

Mr Katana said Wangui was found dead inside a house in the Kiambaa area of Moto Location on September 4, 2026.

According to preliminary investigations by DCI, the deceased’s brother had reportedly left the house briefly for a nearby shop and later discovered her lifeless body upon returning.

“Detectives who responded to the scene recovered an axe, a panga and two knives, which the DCI said bore suspected bloodstains.

Investigators also recovered additional evidence from the scene as they sought to establish the circumstances surrounding the student’s death,” stated the Sub-County Commander.

He said preliminary investigations established that Kipkoech and Wangui were in a romantic relationship.

Investigators are pursuing a possible love triangle as one of the lines of inquiry into the motive for the killing.

Though a clear motive for the murder has not been established conclusively, since investigations are still ongoing, police say they found at the scene a note on the wall believed to have been scribbled by the perpetrator of the crime.

According to investigators, it read, “I love you, Joy, but never cheat; I am sorry.”

The DCI said Kipkoech was wearing clothing bearing what appeared to be bloodstains when he was arrested.

He was escorted to Molo Police Station, where he was undergoing processing ahead of arraignment.

The arrest follows an earlier police investigation launched after Wangui’s death, with detectives examining evidence recovered from the scene and pursuing leads to establish the suspect’s whereabouts.

“The arrest provides investigators with an opportunity to establish a clearer account of the events leading to Wangui’s death. Detectives are expected to continue examining forensic evidence, witness accounts and other information gathered during the investigation before the matter proceeds through the courts,” stated Mr Katana.

He expressed condolences to Wangui’s family, relatives and friends following her death.

The investigative agency said it remained committed to establishing the circumstances surrounding the killing and ensuring that anyone found responsible faces the law.

The DCI said investigations would continue as detectives piece together the events surrounding Wangui’s death.

By Jefther Afuyo and Jane Ngugi