This archive report was first published on 7 October 2021.
On October 7, 2021, Godfrey Kangogo appeared before Justice Joel Ngugi at the Nakuru High Court. The case revolves around the killing of Irene Jepchumba, a former Rift Valley Institute lecturer, who died on July 6, 2018.
Investigator Pamela Rono, with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), testified that she could only place Kangogo at the scene of the murder. Rono stated that Kangogo was the last person to be with Jepchumba, but he is the only one who can reveal the truth about what transpired.
Kangogo has denied causing Jepchumba's death by allegedly pushing her at Choka Falls on Molo River as she was taking a selfie. However, Rono said that none of her 23 witnesses saw Kangogo push Jepchumba into the waterfalls.
Initially, witnesses reported that Jepchumba had drowned. Her father reported the incident at Menengai Police Station on July 7, 2018, and the case was booked under OB 8/7/7/2018. Rono interviewed witnesses who saw Kangogo and Jepchumba before her death, but none suggested a fight between the two.
Four witnesses testified that they saw the couple holding hands and walking close to each other while carrying drinks. It was only after the postmortem report, conducted by Dr. Titus Ngulungu, showed that Jepchumba died of strangulation that the case was changed from drowning to murder.
During cross-examination, lawyer David Mongeri questioned Rono about 'threatening' messages allegedly sent to Jepchumba by Kangogo. Mongeri pointed out that the mobile phone number sent for forensic analysis differed from the one received later.
The hearing will proceed on November 12, 2021, when a cybercrime expert will testify.
