Eldoret court orders mental assessment for cop who shot two at a club

Eldoret Principal Magistrate Caroline Wattima directed the police to escort Eric Kirui to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) to undergo mental assessment to determine whether he is fit to stand trial.

The suspect is to appear before the duty Judge for plea taking on July 22, 2025 in connection with the killing of Caroline Malakwen and Ignatius Kipchumba.

The suspect's lawyers Nathan Oburu and Calvine Ojalla brought to the attention of the court that he was injured by his fellow officers during his arrest.

He asked the court to issue further orders for him to access medication at a public hospital ahead of his plea taking.

However, Wattima directed the police to escort the suspect to the hospital for treatment.

The court further ordered that the suspect who has been held in custody at Eldoret central police station since his arrest over the murder incident, be held at the Eldoret GK remand prison.

The suspect, who was based at Tembelio police station in Moiben sub county is alleged  to have shot and killed the two victims using his AK 47 assault rifle on the night of June 23 at a pub in Jua Kali trading centre along the busy Eldoret-Webuye highway in a love triangle conflict.

The Kokwet pub in Jua Kali area where the two victims were shot and killed was owned by the deceased woman.