Missing Kinangop girl found dead in suspected ritual killing
Joseph Karanja, the father of missing girl Mary Wanjiku who was found dead on March 3, 2019, addresses reporters at Kagondo village in Kinangop Sub-county, Nyandarua. PHOTO | WAIKWA MAINA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Joseph Karanja, the girl's father, said she went missing on December 9.
- Her body was found mutilated and tied to a block by a neighbour who went to wash clothes, a state which led to the belief that she was tortured before she was killed.
- Village elder John Kagui said they suspected a ritual killing and asked police to ensure justice for the family.
The body of a nursery school girl, who had been missing since December 2018, was on Sunday morning found in a dam near their home at Kagondo village in Kinangop Sub-county, Nyandarua.
It was found mutilated and tied to a block by a neighbour who went to wash clothes, a state which led to the belief that she was tortured before she was killed.
The victim was identified as six-year-old Mary Wanjiku.
STRANGE CALLS
Joseph Karanja, the girl's father, said she went missing on December 9.
“Residents conducted a search after she failed to return home from school. It has been a very difficult time for the family,” said Mr Karanja.
Mr Karanja said strangers had called them, claiming to know Wanjiku's whereabouts.
“We suspect the killers called to mislead us on the location of the body. Their intention was to divert our attention from the dam," he said.
The dam at Heni Cooperative Society premises in Kinangop Sub-county, Nyandarua, where the mutilated body of a missing girl was found on March 3, 2019. PHOTO | WAIKWA MAINA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
'RITUAL KILLING'
Village elder John Kagui said the body was found in a dam inside the premises of Heni Cooperative Society.
Mr Kaguni told of how residents spent many hours, on many days, looking for the girl.
He said, “We are saddened and troubled by the incident. How can a human being slaughter an innocent child, tie her body to a stone and then throw it in a dam?"
He added, "She was a bright, brave and obedient child. She was the favourite in the village ... very jovial. Police must do their best to ensure justice for the minor and her family. We suspect she was sacrificed by a ritualist. There are suspected devil worshippers in this area."
Kinangop divisional police commander Jane Munywoki said they opened an investigation.
