In early March 2024, in Mathira East, Nyeri County, night security guard Evans Kosgei allegedly hacked his long-term partner and mother of his child, Jackline Jerop Kimaiyo, to death in her rented house before fleeing. Days later, he took his own life by hanging from a tree in Thika. What began as a story of young high school love, teenage pregnancy, and deep personal sacrifice ended in a brutal murder-suicide driven by accusations of betrayal and infidelity.
Evans Kosgei, a 33-year-old night watchman, worked in Thika, Kiambu County, and lived in Waitethie. He came from a family where he sold sheep, goats, trees, and part of the family land to support his partnerβs education. Jackline Jerop Kimaiyo, a secondary school teacher from Elgeyo Marakwet County, taught at Itundu Secondary School in Mathira East. Her father, David Kiyeng, had traveled from Iten in a last attempt to reconcile the couple.
The two had been together since February 14, 2016. They met in high school, with Jackline at Anin Girls in Elgeyo Marakwet and Evans at Kimoning Boys in Uasin Gishu. They had one young daughter. Jackline became pregnant in September 2018 as a teenager. Her father disowned her at the time. Evans stood by her. He relocated to care for the family and sacrificed greatly so she could study at Murangβa University, graduate, and become a teacher. Those close to them saw the couple as resilient. They had overcome early family opposition.
Problems grew after Jackline graduated and Evans took a night guard job in Thika. The distance added to financial pressures and relationship strains. Evans accused Jackline of cheating with other men, including Shadrack Kiprop and Stanley Ndegwa. He felt deeply betrayed after everything he had given up. Under the handle @Kosgei022 on X, he began posting publicly about their story, his pain, and his accusations. He tagged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and several media houses.
His posts captured his growing distress. In one thread he wrote: βFellow Kenyans, what do these ladies want? Here is my story! There is this lady by the name Jackline whom we started dating way back in high school... We agreed to be husband and wife since we had a kid together... I have sold my property, including felling down my trees and selling my sheep, just to support her in school.β He added that he now understood βwhy many girls are being killed... because of their stupidityβ and warned that if anything happened, people should know what was going on behind the scenes.
He posted: βMy sweetheart you decided to go against all what we promised each other 9 years ago. I had confided in you. I trusted you more than I was trusting my own parents for you only to betray me after getting some money. But it's okay. Let it be a lesson to the rest.β
Other messages included: βRegrets comes later. I wish you rectify your mistakes way early in the start of relationship by now we could be a way better but you chose to do things your own way. It's unfortunate that this young family had to die because of your stupidity.β And: βMen, allow me today to be a motivational speaker. Never ever take back a cheating wife.β
Around March 6, 2024, Jackline did not report to Itundu Secondary School. Colleagues checked her rented house and discovered her body hacked to death. Evans went missing. While evading police, he kept posting. He wrote: βRest well my queen. I loved you but you loved someone else. Choices have Consequences!β Another post said: βRIP if you are deaf but if you are still breathing then learn a lesson that better tell someone straight to the face that I will love you alone or I will not love you than triple dealing. Hope all other girls before you learn a lesson.β And finally: βRest in peace my love. Am following you back.β
Police tracked his phone from the Mt Kenya Forest area to Thika. He slipped past a search team in the Jomoko area along Thika-Mangu Road. On March 11, 2024, Evans Kosgeiβs body was found hanging from a tree in Thika. He left a suicide note accepting responsibility for Jacklineβs death together with her identification card. His body was taken to General Kago Morgue.
Investigations confirmed a murder-suicide linked to a suspected love triangle. The families grieved separately. Jackline was buried in Elgeyo Marakwet. Their young daughter was left orphaned. Relatives took on the responsibility of raising her.
In the end, no outsiders caused this tragedy. It was a relationship built on love and sacrifice that collapsed under suspicion, distance, and deep emotional pain. Public posts, a panga, and a rope brought everything to a sudden, violent end. Two young lives were lost, and one child now faces the world without her parents. The two families must carry on and find strength to support the little girl they left behind.
Disclaimer: This story is shared strictly for awareness. It does not support violence in any way.