In a recent revelation in the High Court, serial killer Evans Juma Wanjala has confessed to the murder of 10-year-old Stacy Nabiso, whose body was discovered in the Soweto Estate near Mois Bridge, Uasin Gishu County, in January 2020. The confession marks a significant moment in a case that has gripped the nation, with Wanjala now seeking to enter a plea bargain that could result in a lesser sentence.
The events leading to the discovery of Nabiso’s body began on December 31, 2019, when she went missing. Her remains were found the following day, triggering a series of investigations that would eventually unearth the horrific crimes committed by Wanjala. Despite initially denying involvement in her death, Wanjala’s change of stance comes after months of testimony in the case, where witnesses and forensic evidence have tied him to the murder.
Wanjala’s lawyer, Francis Kipsamwo, informed the court that his client no longer wished to defend himself but instead sought to enter into a plea bargain with the state. This decision means that Wanjala will likely face a reduced sentence in exchange for his confession. Judge Reuben Nyakundi informed Wanjala that a plea deal would involve acknowledging his role in the murder of Nabiso, to which Wanjala agreed.
The case against Wanjala includes multiple charges related to the murder of young girls, with the prosecution having already presented testimonies from ten witnesses. In addition to the charges related to Nabiso’s death, Wanjala has been linked to the murders of at least five girls, aged between 10 and 15, over a span of several years. The gruesome details of his crimes have shocked the public and raised serious concerns about child safety in the region.
Investigations into Wanjala’s activities began in 2021 after his arrest, with Chief Inspector Romano Oduor, the lead investigator, providing chilling details of the serial killings. Wanjala, who had already been a suspect in several sexual assault cases dating back to 2017, was found to have lured the girls from various locations within Moi’s Bridge. After kidnapping them, he would take them to secluded areas where he would sexually assault and then strangle them to death.
DNA evidence presented in court further solidified the link between Wanjala and the victims. Clothing found at crime scenes matched samples from Wanjala, and post-mortem results revealed that the victims, including Nabiso, had been sexually assaulted before being killed by strangulation.
During a re-enactment of the crimes, Wanjala provided a detailed account of how he lured his victims, including Linda Cherono (13), Mary Elusa (14), Grace Njeri (12), and Lucy Wanjiru (15), to their deaths. His confessions also involved chilling reenactments with the police, where he guided investigators through the sites where the bodies of the victims were found.
The horrors of Wanjala’s actions were compounded by the disturbing nature of the crimes. The bodies of his victims were often found in remote locations, including near Baharini dam and in a thicket near Tuiyabei, where they had been buried or discarded. In some cases, the bodies had been left in sacks or other concealed areas, reflecting Wanjala’s calculated attempts to hide the evidence.
Wanjala, 36, who has a criminal history of sexual offenses, now faces multiple murder charges related to his serial killings. As the legal proceedings continue, the case serves as a grim reminder of the dangers.
