John Kariuki, a man suspected of defiling and killing a 9-year-old girl in Kirinyaga has surrendered to the police.
The suspect is accused of raping and murdering a Grade three girl from Kagio Primary School, before dumping her body in Rwamuthambi river in Kagio town.
Ndia Sub-County Police Commander Moses Koskei confirmed the incident narrating how the suspect managed to lure the girl with sweets.
He also said that the incident was reported by the deceased’s mother, Caroline Wanjiru at Kagio police station.
“The girl was allegedly picked by the suspect, who was known to her, to buy her sweets. The incident was reported by her mother Caroline Wanjiru at Kagio police station,” the Police Commander said.
The commander also noted that the girl went missing on May 12, 2023, and added that the body was later recovered in the river on May 14, 2023.
According to Reuben Kihara, a resident who discovered the body, the victim’s body was blocked by a water pipe in the river.
The suspect surrendered at Mwiki Police Station, but the police commander confirmed that he was later taken to Kirinyanga County where he is in custody at Baricho Police Station.
The deceased girl was laid to rest on May 25, 2023, but the mother is still wailing to get justice for her daughter.
Missing persons
The incident comes at a time when the country is experiencing numerous cases of abduction and killings.
The latest that hit the headlines was the kidnapping and murder of former treasury official Tom Osinde who is said to have been dragged from his home, killed and body dumped in River Kuja Migori County.
The family of Osinde had reported the matter to the police when he went missing on June 17, 2023, which then led the police to a probe and the search of Osinde.
Two workers of the late Osinde have been arrested in connection with the murder.
In Nyahururu, the body of a 61-year-old was found dumped in a nearby river bank, after she went missing for days.
Lucy Muthoni Njama is believed to have been killed by her grandson, whom she used to live with.
The suspect has since been arrested by the police after they recovered an axe believed to have been the murder weapon in a pit latrine.
“We are holding the teenager and he is currently in custody. We are also piecing together the investigation to know the motive of the murder and his accomplices,” Nyahururu Sub-county Police Commander Jacklyne Gasheri stated.
Similarly in Migori, police are investigating the murder of a 20-year-old woman, Yvonne Akinyi, who was killed and dumped along Awendo-Siruti Road.
Awendo sub-county police commander Mathias Pombo, confirmed the incident, stating that the police have launched a manhunt for the alleged killers.
The family of the young woman is now demanding justice for the murder of their kin.
“It is now the police investigating the matter but we are asking for a speedy investigation into the matter to find the killers who have done this heinous act,” the deceased’s uncle Andu Abade said.
