Detectives say the suspect in the beheading of 18‑year‑old Joy Wangui was arrested after a sustained manhunt, ending in Lagwenda village, Kuresoi North.

The manhunt involved officers from Molo Police and the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau at the Rift Valley Regional Criminal Investigations Headquarters, who located the suspect in a hideout and forced him out.

Police identified the suspect as 23‑year‑old Walter Kipkoech, who fled immediately after the killing of Joy Wangui, a Form Four student at Molo Secondary School.

At the time of arrest Kipkoech was wearing a blood‑stained boxer, a white T‑shirt bearing the victim’s name, and black jeans with dry blood stains, according to police statements.

He told investigators he acted in anger after the victim allegedly resisted his advances and accused her of cheating, and appeared tired and remorseful during questioning.

Investigators recovered the murder weapon – an axe, a panga and two knives – all bearing bloodstains, and the victim’s head was later found in a corridor with a blood‑written message on the wall.

The body was removed to Molo Sub‑County Hospital mortuary for a post‑mortem examination, while detectives continue to piece together the events surrounding the killing.