An Eldoret businessman suspected of killing his estranged wife last month and disposing of her dismembered body across Nandi and Uasin Gishu counties was presented in Eldoret court yesterday on a murder charge. Francis Ndung’u, who appeared relaxed and composed in the dock, faced Deputy Registrar Rosemary Onkoba at the Eldoret High Court.
The police requested that Ndung’u be held at Eldoret GK Remand Prison for an additional five days to determine his fitness to stand trial. The court was informed that Ndung’u, who was arrested two weeks ago at his home in Shauri estate, has not yet undergone a mental assessment before his plea.
The deceased, Rael Cherop Biwott, was an accountant at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret and a mother of four. Onkoba ordered that Ndung’u be transported to GK Remand Prison until Monday, when he will undergo a psychiatric evaluation at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.
“The suspect will be escorted to Eldoret GK Remand prison until Monday when he will be taken for mental assessment at MTRH, and then he will take plea for murder on July 31,” ruled Onkoba.
Earlier, the suspect caused a stir in the court when he asked Onkoba to free him on reasonable bond terms to attend to his business which is crumbling.
“Your honour, I am praying that you grant me bond so that I can attend to my business which is on the verge of collapse since my arrest by the police two weeks ago,” stated Ndung’u to the shock of the packed court.
Ndung’u also took the opportunity to request permission from the court to seek specialized medical treatment at a hospital of his choice, claiming he was feeling unwell. However, the Deputy High Court Registrar denied his request, stating that his medical needs would be adequately addressed at Eldoret GK Remand Prison.
According to police officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) in Turbo Sub County, Ndung’u reported his wife, Rael Cherop Biwott, missing 24 hours after she left her workplace last month. Ndung’u, the prime suspect in the murder case, had told the DCI that his wife disappeared after breakfast, which conflicted with statements from his children and accomplice.
The investigation revealed that, contrary to Ndung’u’s claim that they took a matatu home, CCTV footage showed that the deceased left her workplace with her husband shortly before 7 p.m. on June 22.
