Man Dies After Taking Herbal Medicine, Herbalist Arrested

BY WINSTONE MUSISI

A 52 year-old herbalist who administered herbal medicine to her client, Sudanese  citizen, resulting to his death  has today been arraigned in an Eldoret High Court and charged with murder.

Ann Mosop denied killing her client when she appeared before Justice Eric Ogola.

The accused denied killing her client Maketh Kuany Chol, of Sudanese descent on October 23, 2021 at Kapsoya in Ainabkoi sub- County within Uasin Gishu County.

The herbalist who hails from Marakwet East, in Elgeyo Marakwet County, took plea after a mental assessment done at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital indicated that she was fit to stand trial and face the murder charges preferred against her by the prosecution.

After taking plea, Mosop’s pro bono lawyer, Gilbert Rotich, requested the court for his client to be released on bond so that she would attend court sessions whenever required.

“We are requesting for the release of my client on favorable bond terms considering that my client has been in custody for close to three weeks following her arrest. If released on bond or cash bail, she will attend all court sessions whenever needed,” argued Rotich.

Justice Ogola directed that the probation officers work on a probation report within two weeks to be considered before releasing the accused person on bond.

Chol, a 41-year-old man died in Eldoret after allegedly drinking a concoction of herbs said to have been administered by the herbalist at his home in Kapsoya estate in the outskirts of Eldoret town.

Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Ayub Ali who had confirmed the incident to the media earlier, said that Chol’s wife, who also consumed the concoction, had been admitted to a private hospital in Eldoret in critical condition.

The deceased, who lived in Australia, had gone to visit his wife in Kenya before seeking the services of the herbalist who is known to his family.

The body was moved to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary.

A post mortem conducted on the deceased at the MTRH revealed that he died of intoxication with the report showing that the pathologist finding would undergo further investigations.

The case will come up on December 15 for ruling on the bond application.