KISUMU, Kenya — Detectives in Kisumu West have recovered the decomposing body of a 21-year-old female student from RIAT College in Riat Forest, bringing a tragic end to a disappearance that had sparked concern among family and friends.
The operation, conducted by officers from Kisumu West in collaboration with teams from Maseno Police Station and Riat Police Post, followed days of intensive investigations into the student’s sudden disappearance earlier this month.
Authorities confirmed that the body bore multiple stab wounds, pointing to a violent attack. The grim discovery came shortly after the arrest of the prime suspect, identified as Steven Coleman Okoth, who is believed to have orchestrated the assault and subsequent killing of the young woman.
According to investigators, the incident occurred on the night of April 5, 2026, in the Milimani area of Kisumu. What initially appeared to be a case of poor phone connectivity soon escalated into a distressing situation when the victim’s elder sister failed to reach her through repeated calls.
Her fears were confirmed around midnight when a troubling text message was received from the victim’s phone. In the message, the student indicated that she had been lured into a drinking spree by two male colleagues, leaving her incapacitated. She reported being sexually assaulted and abandoned in a bush while in critical condition. Shortly after sending the message, her phone went offline.
Detectives from Kisumu West Sub-County immediately launched investigations, relying on forensic analysis and digital tracking to establish the victim’s last known movements. The trail led them to the Milimani area near the Kenya Wildlife Service offices, where an extensive search was conducted, though initially without success.
Breakthrough in the case came after sustained investigations led to the identification and arrest of one suspect, believed to be the victim’s former boyfriend. Witnesses reportedly placed him with the victim on the evening of her disappearance. Detectives also uncovered evidence of prior threats allegedly made by the suspect over the past two months, during which he is said to have repeatedly visited the victim’s residence in Riat.
At the time of his arrest, police recovered items considered crucial to the ongoing investigation. Authorities say the exhibits have played a key role in narrowing down the search for both the victim and additional suspects believed to have been involved.
Steven Coleman Okoth is currently in police custody and is being processed for arraignment. Meanwhile, detectives have intensified efforts to trace and apprehend other individuals linked to the incident.
Police have urged members of the public with any relevant information to come forward as investigations continue.