KERICHO, Kenya — The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has charged a man with the murder of his 100-year-old mother in a case that has shocked residents of Sigowet Sub-County.
The accused, Julius Cheruiyot Bett, was arraigned before the High Court and charged with murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code.
He pleaded not guilty before Justice Joseph Sergon.
According to the prosecution, led by David Fedha, Bett allegedly killed his mother, Grace Chelangat, on March 7, 2026, at Kiptere Location in Sigowet, Kericho County.
The court heard that the accused is alleged to have rammed his mother with a motor vehicle, leading to her death.
Prosecutors further claimed that the incident may have been linked to a dispute over inheritance, with the accused reportedly pressuring the deceased over property matters prior to the incident.
The court denied the accused bond after the prosecution opposed his release, citing the seriousness of the offence and the circumstances surrounding the case.
The matter is scheduled for mention on May 12, 2026, for pre-trial directions.
The case adds to a growing number of serious criminal prosecutions being pursued by the ODPP, highlighting ongoing concerns around violent crime and family-related disputes, as well as the judiciary’s approach to bail in capital offences.
