Man Jailed 15 Years for Killing Former Athlete Samson Kandie

A man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the killing of former Kenyan athlete Samson Kandie after pleading guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter.

Vincent Kiprono received the sentence on Thursday at the Eldoret High Court, where the case was presided over by Reuben Nyakundi. Kiprono admitted to the lesser charge after entering into a plea bargain agreement with the prosecution.

The court heard that Kandie was attacked and killed at his home in Eldoret in October 2024. In his ruling, Justice Nyakundi said the offence was grave and warranted a custodial sentence, emphasizing that a life had been lost.

“The court must send a clear message that such acts of violence cannot be tolerated,” the judge said while delivering the sentence.

According to the prosecution, Kiprono agreed to cooperate with investigators as part of the plea deal. The court was informed that he would testify as a state witness in the ongoing murder trial against Kandie’s widow, Rose Chepkemoi.

Chepkemoi is the main suspect in the case and is currently facing a murder charge linked to Kandie’s death. Prosecutors say Kiprono’s testimony could be key in the case as the trial continues.

Kandie, a former athlete from the Rift Valley region, died after sustaining injuries during the attack at his residence, an incident that shocked the local community and sparked investigations that eventually led to the arrests.

The murder trial against Chepkemoi is still ongoing before the High Court.