Woman, daughters raped and killed

By ROBERT WANYONYI

Bungoma, Kenya: Residents of Wekelekha village in Bungoma County are still reeling in shock after a woman and her three daughters were raped before being murdered in a bizarre incident.

According to witnesses’ accounts, villagers woke up to an eerie silence and discovered a trail of blood leading to the woman’s house. Upon checking, they found the four bodies.

And in what pointed to a ritual killing, all the four bodies bore strange marks near their throats, a pointer that the victims’ lives might have been takensystematically and with a purpose.

“I came to pick the deceased at around 8.00 am since we had planned to go to the farm together. Upon arrival, I noticed that the door was still locked. And when I looked closer, I discovered some blood stains leading away from the main door that still had a padlock fastened from outside,” a neighbour next door, who did not want to be named explained, adding: “It was then that I saw a window that was partially opened and upon peeping in, I was shocked to see the blood-stained body of my friend lying sprawled on the bed.”

Bungoma County Commissioner Maalim Mohammed announced a thorough police probe into the killings and warned criminals operating in the area that they would be dealt with. “These are horrible and senseless killings and I want to promise all those behind the incident that we will not rest until we find them,” warned Mohammed.

He revealed that the police have gathered evidence that has led them to the suspect who remains at large.

He also appealed for calm among residents as police launch probes.

Police laxity

But Bungoma County Woman Representative Dr Reginalda  Wanyonyi who was the only politician who arrived at the scene complained about the continued spate of senseless killings in the county and the police inability to address the situation. “Since last year when several people were killed in a similar fashion by unknown gangs immediately after the March 4 General Election, the police have failed to deal with runaway crime,” said Wanyonyi, who appealed to the Government to intervene and reassure the locals about their security.

Residents pointed the accusing finger at a suspect who was released from Bungoma GK Prison this week adding that the man had attempted to rape the deceased last year but she reported the incident to the police prompting his arrest.