A 40-year-old Denis Ondara, who is the main suspect in a twin murder of Nyamira couple in their home, was arrested on Friday, May 19, 2023, in Migori, authorities said.
In a report by Directorate of Criminal Investigations(DCI), Ondara was nabbed by officers posing as hawkers following a 4-day chase that ended at the Isebania border in Migori County bringing to three the total number of suspects arrested so far.
Subsequent investigative work by law enforcement agencies led to the identification of Ondara who was first spotted in Ruai, Nairobi County where he is believed to have gone into hiding four days ago before he escaped to Migori.
Upon his arrest, Ondara was found in possession of four more rounds of 9mm calibre, assorted spanners, nuts, screw drivers and pliers all used for breaking into vehicles.
"The sleuths posing as hawkers selling the much revered mukombero roots along the border struck in one swift move and whisked the armed suspect away without firing a single shot.
"Upon searching the suspect, 14 more rounds of 9mm calibre were recovered, assorted spanners, nuts, screw drivers and pliers all used for breaking into parked vehicles," part of DCI statement reads.
Detectives say the suspect is also believed to be behind a number of reported robbery with violence and murder incidents in Nairobi, Nyamira, Kisii and Migori counties.
The couple, Edward Morema Nyangechi, 62 and Grace Mong'ina Morema, 58, both based in the US were found murdered in the house after they failed to turn up for breakfast by 10am on March 21, 2023.
Murder reported
Initial report filed at Gesima Police Station indicate that their house help Silvia Barongo, 19, was the first to become suspicious before she called the farmhand 30-year-old Jeremiah Bosire and together they raised alarm attracting the attention of other villagers.
The villangers responded swiftly and upon search they found the woman's murdered body sprawled on a bed in a pool of blood in one of the bedrooms, while the man’s body was found in the garage.
The bodies bore deep cuts on their heads while their legs and hands were tied together using electric cables.
"An autopsy report released later by the government pathologist indicated that the two died as a result of strangulations and blunt object injuries on their heads and upper limbs," the statement added.
The couple lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota in the United States.
