NAKURU, Kenya – A Nakuru man has been found guilty of murdering his neighbour after a shocking discovery beneath his bed led to a deadly attack.
Justice Samuel Mohochi delivered the ruling on Monday, convicting 35-year-old Cyrus Kipng’eno Rono of killing his neighbour, Moody Awori, nearly two years ago.
“The manner in which the body of the deceased was found is indicative of the depth of violence he suffered at the hands of the accused,” Justice Mohochi told the packed courtroom.
The court heard that on the night of 29 August 2023, Rono, who worked as a night guard in Kiamunyeki, became suspicious when his wife failed to answer his calls. He left work early and returned home at about 9 p.m.
When he knocked on his bedroom door, there was no answer. Minutes later, his wife emerged looking unsettled. Inside the room, Rono found Awori, half-dressed, hiding under the bed. In a fit of rage, he attacked him with a machete.
Witnesses and police records revealed that Awori suffered repeated blows to the neck and limbs. A government pathologist, Dr. Titus Ngulungu, testified that the victim died from severe head injuries caused by both blunt and sharp force trauma.
After the attack, Rono went to Lanet Police Station and reported the incident. He later guided officers back to the house, where Awori’s body was recovered.
The ruling ended a lengthy legal battle that had gripped the local community. The judge declared: “I find the accused, Cyrus Kipng’eno Rono, guilty of the offence of murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code, and he is hereby convicted accordingly.”
Rono now awaits sentencing, which will be delivered at a later date.
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