The woman whose body was exhumed from a shallow grave in Trans Nzoia on Tuesday has been identified as Alice Chemutai, a resident of Kitale town. Trans Nzoia DCI chief Paul Songok led the operation, stating that three suspects were in custody in connection with her death and secret burial. Among those arrested is a man believed to have been her lover.
Songok explained that police were unable to provide all details about the victim at this time, directing the media to her family for more information. Elizabeth Kipkemboi, the deceased's sister, shared that Alice had gone missing about two weeks ago from Kitale.
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"I can't believe this is my sister found in this grave. We really don’t know what happened," Elizabeth said, adding that her sister, a mother of one, had been in a relationship with one of the suspects for three months. She said Alice had never expressed any concerns or fears before her sudden disappearance, and the family had been searching for her since she went missing.
Songok further revealed that the arrested suspects may also be linked to the death of another woman, which remains under investigation. The men had leased the house where Alice's body was found three months ago, and police discovered crude weapons and a pair of police uniforms in their possession.
A postmortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death. Songok added that the suspects were arrested following reports from local residents.
The body, found wrapped in a blanket and dressed in a nightgown, had been buried about two feet deep. Though decomposing, no visible injuries were found on the body. Police are investigating whether the suspects are connected to other crimes.
The house where the body was found is located about eight kilometers off the Kitale-Eldoret road. The exhumation drew hundreds of shocked residents, with tens of police officers securing the area. Alice Chemutai hailed from the Kapsara area in the same county.
