A 19-year-old boy is in police custody after he stabbed his classmate over a relationship gone sour in Sosiot Kericho county.
In the incident that occurred yesterday morning at Keben Secondary school, Tony Kiptoo stabbed Irene Chelagat, 22, on the left side of her chest killing her on the spot for turning down his romantic overtures.
According to DCI, Kiptoo had carried a kitchen knife from home to school and committed the horrific act just before the morning lessons began.
“Irate classmates descended on Kiptoo as others screamed attracting the attention of the teacher on duty Kenneth Korir, who was at the staff room preparing for the day’s lessons,” read Directorate of Criminal Investigate (DCI) report.
“He immediately rushed to the classroom and found the suspect being roughed up as other students were trying to assist the victim, who was bleeding profusely.”
Chelagat was rushed to Sosiot medical centre where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the two had been in a love relationship that had since ran its course and the lady had moved on.
“With the pain of rejection too much bear, Kiptoo who had already wished his estranged girlfriend peace in death by inscribing the initials R.I.P on a photo later discovered in his cubicle, carried his mother’s vegetable knife and left for school,” read the report.
According to the deceased’s classmates, Kiptoo became furious after discovering that his former lover had found a new catch, who had since bought her a new smartphone.
Korir, who is still reeling from loss of one of his students described Chelagat as a diligent and hardworking student, who performed exceptionally in his English subject.
Meanwhile, the murder suspect is currently in court as detectives seek custodial orders to allow them prepare a watertight case against him.