By Antony Gitonga

Residents of a village in Mai Mahiu, Naivasha, woke up to a rude shock when they discovered the body of a minor defiled and strangled.

There was shock and grief in Karima after the body of the girl, 13, was found dumped in a maize plantation.

The mother of the teenager collapsed as some villagers wailed on viewing the half-naked body.

The class eight pupil at Karima Primary School had just arrived from school and was still in uniform when the attack occurred.

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Residents of Karima Village, Mai Mahiu in Naivasha, view the body of a schoolgirl, 13, who was defiled, strangled and dumped in a maize plantation. The Class Eight pupil had gone to collect milk on Tuesday evening when she was attacked. Police are yet to arrest any suspect. [PHOTO: Antony Gitonga/STANDARD]

Her uncle, Ng’ang’a Ikegu, said the girl had been sent to collect milk on Tuesday evening, but did not return.

Mr Ikegu said the mother was not at home and had advised the girl to buy the milk and cook for her younger siblings.

"She left at 7pm and after an hour we got concerned as she had not returned," he said.

Tears welling in his eyes, the uncle said their search for the girl had to be called off at around midnight.

But early in the morning, the body was found in the plantation with signs she had been defiled before she was killed.

"It appears she was attacked by one person judging from the footsteps. I urge police to track the killer and punish him for this beastly act," said former councillor John Gikonyo.

Speaking on telephone, Naivasha OCPD Ernest Oponyo said police were investigating the matter but said no suspect had been arrested.

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"We urge anyone with information on the murder to assist us so we arrest whoever was involved," he pleaded.

The body was taken to the district mortuary.

Early this year in the same village, a man killed a 10-year-old girl after sexually abusing her.

The public later cornered and lynched the suspect.

According to past Police statistics, cases of defilement have been on the increase even as other crimes decreased.

Parents are warned of the depressing trend and urged to keep watch over their children, both boys and girls, as they have become easy target for the rising number of predators.