Police have been given 21 days to keep a General Service Unit officer in custody as they investigate the alleged shooting of a nurse at a GSU camp in Eldoret, with investigators saying they are yet to question several witnesses and examine samples recovered from the scene.
Nathan Kirwa, who works as Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii’s bodyguard, appeared before Eldoret Chief Magistrate Peter Ndwiga following the death of Doris Murei at the GSU mess compound in Ainabkoi subcounty.
Investigating officer Edwin Chirchir told the court on Tuesday that Kirwa is a person of interest in the murder inquiry and that releasing him at this stage could affect the ongoing investigations.
Chirchir said detectives need time to record statements from more than nine witnesses connected to the case. Police also want to have samples collected at the scene examined as part of efforts to establish what happened on the night Murei was killed.
The officer said initial investigations placed the incident at the GSU mess compound on August 30, 2026.
According to the information presented in court, Kirwa allegedly came across Murei at the compound and confronted her over an issue that remains unclear.
Police allege that the confrontation was followed by a shooting in which Murei was hit in the back with a pistol.
“The respondent here shot the deceased using a pistol at the back, killing her on the spot before escaping using his motor vehicle registration number KAR 371U, make Toyota 110, which was later found at the GSU main gate abandoned,” Chirchir told the court.
Following the reported shooting, Uasin Gishu county commander Wilberforce Sicharani led a team of officers to the GSU compound. Scene-of-crime officers also visited the area as detectives began collecting evidence.
Murei was found lying face down at the compound, with gunshot wounds on her body.
Investigators recovered seven spent cartridges from the area around the scene, the court heard.
Her body was later moved to Eldoret Hospital mortuary, where it remains as preparations for an autopsy are made.
Kirwa was not arrested at the compound. Police later traced him to Kaptinga area along the Kapseret-Mail Tisa Bypass Road, where he was arrested.
The prosecution asked the court not to release him on bond, arguing that his freedom could make it difficult for investigators to deal with witnesses before the inquiry is completed.
Chirchir said police were particularly concerned about possible interference because of the relationship between Kirwa and some of the witnesses in the case.
The investigating officer maintained that the additional 21 days would allow detectives to complete the outstanding work, including obtaining witness statements and sending samples from the scene for examination.
Magistrate Peter Ndwiga subsequently allowed the police request, leaving Kirwa in custody as investigations into Murei’s death continue.