Two main suspects behind the double murders of Mombasa-based Dutch tycoon and his guard have been arrested.
Homicide detectives attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) nabbed Timothy Omondi Ngoe alias Rashid, 22 and Mary Nekesa Ambani, 33 following the murder of Herman Rouwenhourst, 55 and his guard Evans Bokoro, 23 which occurred at the upscale Rocco apartments in Shanzu, on June 4, 2021.
“Herman Rouwenhourst who owned multiple properties and nightclubs scattered across Mombasa and Kilifi counties, was found lying lifeless on his matrimonial bed, with multiple injuries on the head, his hands and legs tied and his mouth gagged,” stated DCI.
His guard also died under similar circumstances bearing injuries similar to those of his employer.
Preliminary investigations have now showed that the businessman, said to have owned multiple properties and nightclubs in Mombasa and Kilifi counties, previously informed his wife Riziki Cherono of his intentions to divorce her due to endless marital squabbles.
According to the DCI, however, Cherono did not receive the news all too well hence hatched a plot to eliminate the Dutchman, with whom they had two children aged 14 and 12.
It is reported that on May 10, 2021, Cherono constituted a meeting between the two suspects Rashid and Nekesa, a former manager in one of Rouwenhourst’s hotels.
In a chilling confession to detectives on how they planned and executed the murder, Nekesa disclosed that Cherono had earlier taken Rashid to their home on a recce mission to familiarize himself with the home.
“To complete the finer details into the murder plot, Rashid took photos of the bedroom where the deceased was later found dead. He was promised a handsome pay upon completion of the task, from money that the deceased kept in a safe in the couple’s bedroom,” detectives said.
Investigations have further revealed that on the fateful night of the murder, Cherono opened the door to their apartment letting in Rashid and other suspects still at large, to stage the cold blooded murder.
The estranged wife was reportedly later on found in the couple’s Toyota Probox around Serena hotel, in what detectives believe to have been a staged kidnapping.
Rashid is said to have acquired a plot at Kiembeni two weeks after the murder, constructed a four-roomed house at a cost of over Sh.1.5 million and furnished it with newly acquired household items worth over Sh.500,000; all said to have been proceeds of the crime.
Further, detectives recovered one live round of 9mm calibre, one bullet head of 9mm calibre, blood stained shoes, a pair of handcuffs, several mobile phones and SIM cards.
“Forensic analysis conducted in our forensic lab placed Rashid at the scene of the murder in Shanzu and at around Serena, where Cherono and the vehicle were found,” stated DCI.
The suspects will be arraigned in court today to answer to murder charges.
