Two men accused of taking part in the killing of former marathon star Samson Kandie have applied for a plea bargain with the state, distancing themselves from Kandie’s widow, who is also facing trial over the incident.
During a court session before Justice Reuben Nyakundi, state prosecutor Sidi Kirenge said the accused, Vincent Kiprono and Jamlick Morogit, had written to the Director of Public Prosecutions requesting to enter into the deal.
“The two have written to the ODPP applying to enter into a plea bargain and we request for time to consider the application,” Kirenge told the judge.
The development does not involve Kandie’s widow, Rose Chepkemboi, who is on trial alongside the two men. All three had earlier denied murdering Kandie on October 2, 2024, at his Elgon View Estate home in Eldoret.
A plea bargain could see the suspects plead guilty to the offence in exchange for a reduced sentence, or take the option of becoming state witnesses.
The judge scheduled the next mention for October 16, when the prosecution is expected to give a progress update on the application.
The trial has already heard testimony from five witnesses, among them Kandie’s daughter Vienna, who recounted years of conflict between her parents.
She told the court that her parents constantly fought over allegations of infidelity, with her mother accusing her father of having another relationship.
“I always heard them quarreling with my mother claiming that our father was going outside their marriage with another woman,” Vienna said.
She told the court her father consistently denied the claims and even at one time handed over his phone to Chepkemboi to look for the alleged woman’s number, which she could not find.
Vienna testified that on October 1, 2024, following a heated quarrel, her father left home, saying he was “going to look for peace which he could not find at his home.” Despite her pleas for him to stay, he left.
The next evening, Vienna was with her mother before they both returned home at about 8pm.
She said her mother urged her to keep calling Kandie, but he did not answer. Later, when someone else picked up, Vienna was told to check the toilet, where she found her father badly injured, with his hands tied, his head swollen, and bleeding from the eyes.
She testified that her mother stopped her from calling for outside help, insisting they would take Kandie to hospital by car. Kandie was rushed to Top Hill Hospital but died from his injuries.
Vienna further told the court that her mother appeared unmoved during the ordeal, even smiling while making phone calls at the hospital. “I even saw her smiling while making calls and at one time I heard her saying that Kandie had received a thorough beating from God,” Vienna said.
The hearing continues next month as the court awaits the prosecution’s position on the plea bargain request.
