A 23-year-old student from Maseno University has been arrested after more than one month of being in hiding.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) says the suspect, identified as Jacktone Oluoch Owiti, was ambushed at his house in Chulaimbo area.

Owiti is said to have committed violent robbery and rape of female students in the company of another suspect on April 14, 2024.

On the said night, Owiti and one other assailant reportedly attacked two female students in their shared room within Nyawita area.

Armed with machetes and daggers, the suspects threatened the first year students aged 19 and 20 of severe harm should they raise any alarm.

The men reportedly raped the two students before making away with their smartphones. Moments after the horrific ordeal, the ladies screamed, alerting neighbours who came to their rescue.

The two victims were rushed to Maseno Hospital for treatment as one of their neighbours filed a report at Maseno Police Station.

Detectives based in Kisumu West took up the matter and launched a manhunt for the two suspects. Consequently, Owiti was arrested on Wednesday, May 15. He was reportedly found in possession of one the stolen smartphones.

The student was taken in for DNA identification, samples collected and later arraigned.

Detectives say they have credible leads to arrest the second accomplice.