Detectives have pieced together a chilling sequence of events that led to the brutal murder of 21-year-old Ramogi Institute of Advanced Technology (RIAT) College student Rose Benter Apondi, allegedly at the hands of her ex-boyfriend in a premeditated revenge attack.
What began as a missing person report on April 6 at Maseno Police Station has since unravelled into a disturbing case of betrayal, manipulation and calculated violence, culminating in the discovery of Apondi’s decomposing body in a thicket at the foot of Riat Hills on Sunday, 12th April 2026.
According to investigators, the suspect, identified as Colman Okoth, confessed to killing the young woman after allegedly discovering WhatsApp messages on her phone suggesting she was planning a future with another man.
Kisumu County Police Commander Hillary Toroitich said the suspect, who described himself as a teacher, admitted during interrogation at Maseno Police Station that he orchestrated the killing on April 5, a day before the family formally reported her missing.
In a calculated move, Okoth lured Apondi out of her house under the guise of helping her secure an industrial attachment opportunity.
Unaware of the trap, the student reportedly left her residence to meet him, marking the last time she was seen alive.
Investigations further reveal that the suspect enlisted the help of accomplices, allegedly paying them Sh500 to participate in the attack.
It is believed the group assaulted Apondi before fatally stabbing her and dumping her body in a nearby thicket.
By the time her remains were recovered days later, they had begun decomposing and had been partially mauled by wild animals.
According to Toroitich, a major breakthrough in the case came when detectives traced and retrieved the victim’s mobile phone from a septic tank in Milimani estate, where she had been working as a social worker.
The recovery of the phone is said to have provided critical leads that ultimately linked the suspect to the crime.
The County Police Commander confirmed the arrest and detailed how the investigation unfolded from a missing person report to a murder inquiry.
“On April 6, a report was made at Maseno Police Station that a student from Riat College had gone missing. Officers, together with the family, conducted a thorough search until we received intelligence linking her disappearance to her ex-boyfriend,” said Toroitich.
He said detectives moved swiftly to apprehend the suspect, whose interrogation proved critical in cracking the case.
“Through interrogation, he confessed that he killed her and dumped the body in a thicket. Officers were able to recover the remains and other crucial exhibits as investigations continue,” he added.
Toroitich said the case highlights the dangers of unresolved domestic disputes, warning that police will firmly deal with perpetrators of such crimes.
“There is no justification for taking someone’s life. If a relationship ends, it should not lead to revenge or heinous acts. Such criminal activities will not be tolerated,” he said.
At the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary, the victim’s family narrated the final moments leading to her disappearance, painting a picture of a young woman caught in a troubled relationship.
Her sister, Dorine Achieng, told journalists that Apondi had sent her distressing WhatsApp messages shortly before she went missing, claiming she had been drugged and gang-raped.
However, she questioned how somebody who was in such a state could type long messages.
Alarmed by the messages, Dorine and her husband rushed to Riat to check on her but did not find her at home.
Neighbours confirmed that she had been seen in the area that Sunday, but her whereabouts remained unknown until the grim discovery.
Dorine said her sister had previously confided in her about being in a toxic relationship, and she had advised her to leave for her own safety.
The suspect is expected to be arraigned at the Maseno Law Courts on April 23 for plea taking, as detectives continue to pursue leads on the alleged accomplices.
Meanwhile, Apondi’s family is demanding justice, describing her death as a cruel and calculated act that has shattered their lives.
As investigations continue, the case has once again cast a spotlight on rising cases of gender-based violence and the deadly consequences of unresolved relationship conflicts.
By Chris Mahandara
