Woman cries for justice after husband is burnt alive in Eldoret
By Wycliffe Kipsang, October 24, 2025A woman from Uasin Gishu County is crying for justice after her husband was killed in cold blood by people well known to her.
Caroline Cherotich Moi from Kipkenyo, at the outskirts of Eldoret City, claims that during the harrowing incident on April 3, 2025, a group of armed men led by a senior leader in Uasin Gishu County stormed her home and dragged the deceased, Philip Moi, behind the house.
“I had placed some old papers in sacks waiting to be burnt as they were of no use. I saw one of them set the papers on fire, then threw my husband into the fire. He then picked some grass behind the house and threw it on my husband to fuel the flames,” Cherotich narrated during an interview with K24 digital.
She was also assaulted during the incident and sought treatment at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), Eldoret.
According to her, after her husband’s death, another group of men raided her home to evict her and took all her household property.
She added that they later took her husband’s body and buried it in Kericho.
“Additionally, they also harvested and sold trees my husband and I had planted together. They also sold some of my property under the claim that the proceeds would be used to cover burial expenses,” the mother of two says.
According to a postmortem examination conducted at MTRH, the deceased succumbed to fire injuries.
“He was later rushed to MTRH, where he succumbed to the injuries,” read part of the postmortem report.
Kimutai Kirui, an Eldoret-based human rights activist for Centre Against Torture, condemned the incident and called for justice for the widow.
“The biggest challenge we have in Kipkenyo is rampant cases of land grabbing, and this is being perpetrated by local leaders at the expense of poor widows,” Kirui stated.
Call for justice
Kirui also criticised the security agencies in the region for their slow response in investigating the incident and apprehending the perpetrators.
“Where is this country headed? How can somebody be set ablaze in broad daylight? We will not allow any form of cover-up of this murder until the lady gets justice,” Kirui said.
The Eldoret Social Justice Centre also criticised the police response.
“It is unacceptable that a grieving wife reporting her husband’s murder is arrested,” Benson Akumu quipped.
“Why didn’t anyone help him when he was set on fire? Why was a fire engine sent instead of an ambulance?”
Akumu echoed calls for an independent investigation by land fraud units based in Nairobi and gave authorities seven days to act.
Cherotich and her children have since been rendered homeless after her house was demolished.
“This is the highest form of injustice. Where can I get justice? Every time I try to be assisted, I’m told to bring witnesses as the culprits continue to threaten me and walk free, “Cherotich said.
Her children are currently at home due to a lack of school fees.
Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Benjamin Mwanthi confirmed that an investigation file was submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP), which recommended an inquest.
“An inquest will determine the cause of death and identify those responsible. If anyone is found culpable, they will face the law,” Mwanthi said.