NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 18 — A 35-year-old father suspected of killing his 2-year-old baby and secretly burying her 8 months ago has been arrested by Police in Rongai, Nakuru County.
Paul Koech Rop, who is an athlete, is the prime suspect in the murder of his 2-year-old Linda Chepkorir.
Linda’s body was discovered buried on Thursday after numerous efforts by the family to trace her whereabouts, months after the father took custody of the girl.
Rongai sub-county Police Commander Wilberforce Sicherani said that on December 21, the father had not clarified why the baby was missing prompting an investigation.
“The mother came insisting for a search as she had left the daughter with her father for some time and taking her back but had not seen her for long,” he said.
“When the mother inquired from the father where the baby is and why he had taken long before returning her back, the father appeared unaware of the baby’s whereabouts.”
Detectives attached to Menengai Police Station believe the 35-year-old suspect may have been involved in his child’s murder.
On Thursday, police exhumed the body of baby Linda from a shallow grave dug within her father’s compound nearly 8 months since her demise.
“The father stayed with the baby until on July. It is possible the baby died between July 23 or 26 and since the baby was not returned to the mother, that makes the father the prime suspect,” Sicherani said.
The suspect is set to be arraigned in court on Monday.
