A family in Shirakalu village, Kakamega County is pleading for justice three years after their 10-year-old daughter was allegedly defiled and strangled to death by two men. The tragic incident, which occurred in 2022, left the community in shock, but no arrests were made at the time, and the case appeared to stall despite repeated calls for action.
With little progress in investigations and no closure, the family buried their daughter under a cloud of pain and unanswered questions. However, new hope emerged this week when a team comprising homicide detectives, forensic experts from Nairobi, and a government pathologist carried out an exhumation to conduct a fresh post-mortem examination.
The move to exhume the child’s body was prompted by renewed efforts to gather DNA samples that could provide critical leads in the stalled investigation. According to police, the DNA evidence will play a key role in identifying the perpetrators and ensuring they are brought to justice.
The exhumation was conducted under tight security, with investigators carefully retrieving samples needed for analysis. The remains were examined to determine the extent of injuries and secure forensic evidence that might have been missed or unavailable at the time of the initial burial.
At the scene, police reiterated their commitment to pursuing the case to its logical conclusion. Authorities confirmed that the DNA samples collected would be compared with those of known suspects and individuals of interest. The hope is that this renewed scientific approach will finally shed light on the identity of the men responsible for the horrific crime.
The victim’s family, visibly emotional, said they have lived with grief and trauma for years without closure. They expressed cautious optimism that the latest developments may finally deliver the justice they have long sought. They called on authorities to act swiftly and ensure that justice is not only done but also seen to be done.
The case has reignited public concern over the safety of children and the broader issue of sexual violence and femicide in the region. Activists and community members have rallied behind the family, demanding accountability and more robust protections for vulnerable children.
As the investigation resumes with a focus on forensic evidence, the community watches closely, hoping for a breakthrough that will not only serve justice to the family but also send a strong message to others who commit such heinous crimes. The family remains hopeful that the truth will finally come out and that those responsible will face the full force of the law.
