Cop in alleged murder of husband put on defense by High Court in Eldoret

Policewoman Lilian Biwott who allegedly shot dead her husband using 11 bullets will take to the dock to defend herself.

This was after the High Court in Eldoret ruled that she has a case to answer.

Biwott will give her defense on August 30 after Justice Reuben Nyakundi also rejected her application to be released on bond pending determination of the case.

Nyakundi said although her lawyer had put up a strong case for bond, it was proper that the accused takes to the dock to defend herself over the murder charges so that the case is concluded.

“You remain innocent until proven guilty but for now I respect your application for bond and direct that you work on your defense,” Nyakundi said.

Justice Nyakundi put Biwott on her defense after hearing evidence from eight witnesses since the case started.

She has denied killing her husband Victor Kipchumba on October 14, 2023 at Kimumu estate in Eldoret.

A witness had earlier told the court that she quarreled with the deceased after he threatened to kill their children on the fateful day.

The couple had quarreled for over an hour before Biwott opened fire, killing the man in their bedroom.

Their househelp Sharon Jepchirchir who is a key witness, narrated how the two quarreled on the phone before Biwott came back to the house on the fateful night.

Kipchumba was in their house at Kimumu Estate while Biwott was on night duty.

Jepchirchir said she was sleeping in an adjacent room where she could overhear the couple quarreling on the phone.

"After a while, Biwott came back and asked me to open the door for her.  She was in full uniform and had a gun," Jepchirchir testified.

She said Biwott then went into their bedroom as she went back to her room from where she heard the two quarrel again for more than an hour.

"After about one hour, I heard a loud bang in their room and went to check only to find Biwott going out. I followed her out, but she went away," she testified.

While being cross-examined by lawyer Oscar Oduor representing Biwott, the househelp said during the quarrel she heard the man saying he would kill their children in anger.

She revealed that the two frequently quarreled, and the man was used to walking around with kitchen knives in the house.

At the same time, she also had told the court that Kipchumba used to seduce her and would even invite her to their bedroom at night when Biwott was away.

"He would on some days call me on my phone and ask me to go to their bedroom when Biwott was away at night," Jepchirchir said.

She said that she informed Biwott about the same sparking more quarrels between the couple.

Jepchirchir told the court that Biwott had been a good employer to her and was always generous.

She had worked with the couple for over six months before the killing.