A police constable accused of killing his girlfriend and another man at a pub in Uasin Gishu County will undergo a mandatory mental assessment before standing trial.
Eldoret Principal Magistrate Caroline Wattima on Friday directed that Constable Eric Kirui be taken to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) for psychiatric evaluation. The test will determine whether Kirui is mentally fit to take plea over the murders of Caroline Malakwen and Ignatius Kipchumba.
Kirui is expected to appear before a duty judge on July 22, 2025, for plea taking in connection with the gruesome shooting that took place last month.
The suspect’s lawyers, Nathan Oburu and Calvine Ojalla, told the court that Kirui sustained injuries during his arrest, reportedly inflicted by fellow police officers. They pleaded with the court to allow him access to medical treatment at a public facility prior to his plea.
In response, Magistrate Wattima ordered the police to escort the accused to the hospital for treatment and further assessment. She also directed that Kirui be transferred from Eldoret Central Police Station to Eldoret GK Remand Prison pending his next court appearance.
Kirui, who was stationed at Tembelio Police Station in Moiben sub-county, is accused of fatally shooting the two victims on the night of June 23, 2025, at the Kokwet Pub located in Jua Kali trading centre along the Eldoret-Webuye highway.
Investigations indicate that the motive behind the attack was a suspected love triangle. Reports suggest that Kirui stormed into the pub armed with his AK-47 rifle and opened fire on the victims.
The pub, which was owned by the late Caroline Malakwen, became the scene of a horrifying double homicide that has since shaken the local community.
The case has attracted public interest, raising fresh questions about mental health support for police officers and the handling of domestic disputes within the force.
As the country waits for the psychiatric report and upcoming plea, the families of the victims continue to seek justice for their loved ones.
