A stolen mobile phone became the critical link that led to the conviction of Moses Kipchirchir, a confessed serial killer in Baringo County, after investigators tied him to the murder of a local businesswoman through digital and circumstantial evidence.
The Breakthrough
Kipchirchir first came to public attention in 2021 after he was found in possession of a phone belonging to Veronica Kanini, who had gone missing in the Mogotio area. At the time of his arrest, investigators discovered that money had been transferred from Kanini’s phone to his account shortly after her disappearance.
The arrest opened the door to further investigations, eventually uncovering other killings allegedly linked to Kipchirchir.
Court Findings
In a judgement delivered last week, Kabarnet High Court Judge Rachel Ngetich ruled that the evidence placed Kipchirchir at the centre of Kanini’s disappearance and death. The court noted that he was the last person seen with her and failed to provide a credible explanation for possessing her phone.
The judge further observed that Kipchirchir admitted receiving Sh4,800 transferred from Kanini’s phone, reinforcing the prosecution’s case.
“The accused offered no reasonable explanation for being in possession of the deceased’s phone shortly after she was reported missing,” the court noted.
Family Testimony
Kanini’s daughter, Rahab Wanjiru, told the court that her mother had travelled from Nakuru to Mogotio early in the morning, promising to return by midday. When she failed to come back and could not be reached, concern quickly turned into alarm.
Her husband, Mariko Njuguna, testified that he last spoke to Kanini as she prepared to leave Mogotio. Later that evening, a call requesting money raised suspicion, prompting him to alert authorities despite sending the funds.
Investigation Trail
Investigators testified that Kanini’s phone activity helped narrow down the suspect’s movements. Working with intelligence officers, detectives traced the device to Kipchirchir, leading to his arrest.
Upon interrogation, Kipchirchir later led police to the location where Kanini’s body had been buried. Medical evidence presented in court confirmed the cause of death.
Defence Rejected
Kipchirchir denied responsibility, claiming he had merely conducted a transaction with Kanini involving household items and had returned her money after a disagreement. The court dismissed the explanation as inconsistent and unsupported by evidence.
A Digital Trail That Spoke
The court concluded that the digital trail, combined with witness testimony and the accused’s own admissions, formed a compelling case that led to Kipchirchir’s conviction—underscoring the growing role of mobile data and forensic evidence in criminal investigations.
