Rhodah Machuma/Tom Lutali, WKT
A family in Sinai Village, Mautuma Ward, Lugari Sub-county, is still reeling from the shock of the sudden and violent death of one of their kin, one of the two women who were shot dead a police officer in a suspected love triangle.
Rhodah Machuma Chepchumba, 28, was allegedly gunned down seven times by Mark Mulanda, a police officer based in the bustling metropolis of Lang’ata, Nairobi County.
Media reports indicated that one of the two women shot were the officer’s wife and the other his colleague’s.
A report filed at the Langata Police Station showed that Rhodah, who was the officer’s girlfriend, was shot seven times to death after the cop locked himself inside his house on Sunday at 9 p.m.
Mr. Mulanda then turned the gun on himself from the front through his neck and the bullet exited through the back.
The death of Ms. Chepchumba came as a surprise to the family, especially her father and mother, who believed she was safe at her uncle’s home in Lwandeti, Lugari, before the shocking news.
Mr. Philip Kibomet Kiplagat, her father, told the Western Kenya Times that it is not clear why her daughter was shot not once, not twice but seven times to death, but rumors swirl of a love triangle gone sour.
“As a family, up to now, the cause of her death is still unknown, but we’re waiting for the police to complete their investigation,” he said.
The solemn task of burial arrangement is underway, and the deceased’s body is expected to be transferred from City Mortuary to either the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret or Kimbilio Morturay in Turbo.
A harambee to raise money to facilitate her burial will be conducted on Friday, as burial is scheduled for Monday.
In her short life, Rhodah had already become a mother of three.
Tom Lutali is a seasoned scribe based in Lugari Sub-County in Kakamega County who writes human interest stories and sports for WKT.
