Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kisumu west have recovered a decomposing body of a 21-year-old RIAT College female student in RIAT forest, following her earlier reported disappearance.

The DCI stated that the body was found bearing multiple stab wounds, indicating that the victim may have been subjected to a brutal attack.

The discovery follows the earlier arrest of the prime suspect, Steven Coleman Okoth, who is believed to have orchestrated her gang rape, torture and subsequent disappearance, in Kisumu’s Milimani area on the night of April 5, 2026.

“On the fateful night, what began as a series of failed phone calls due to poor network connectivity quickly spiraled into a nightmare,” DCI said.

Adding, “An elder sister to the missing victim grew increasingly anxious after being unable to reach her sister, a student at RIAT College. Her fears were confirmed at midnight when a distressing text message finally came through.”

According to the DCI, the victim was reportedly lured lured into a drinking spree by two male colleagues from the same institution, leaving her incapacitated.

She was sexually assaulted and later abandoned in a bush in critical condition. But before she could be helped, her phone went offline.

“Acting swiftly on the devastating report, detectives from Kisumu West Sub-County launched a scrupulous investigation. Drawing crucial leads from forensic analysis, the team traced the victim’s last known location to Milimani area near Kenya Wildlife Service offices. Despite a thorough search for her, she wasn’t found,” DCI noted.

After persistent probe, one suspect, said to be the victim’s former boyfriend, was identified, after he had been spotted with the heavily drugged lady. Investigations further revealed a series of threats issued to the victim over the past two months by the suspect, who repeatedly visited her residence in RIAT in search for her.

At the time of arrest, the suspect was found with crucial exhibits of evidential value, which detectives have been using in their search for the missing student and other suspects.

The suspect is currently being processed for arraignment as search for his accomplices continue.