Residents of Jera Central village in Ugenya sub-county were left horrified after a shocking and gruesome incident in which a man allegedly beheaded his 85-year-old grandmother, accusing her of practicing witchcraft.
The suspect, a 45-year-old man identified as George Opondo, reportedly used an axe to kill his grandmother, Jenipher Aduol. After the brutal attack, he locked her body inside the house, leaving the community shaken by the brutal nature of the crime.
According to the local chief of North Ugenya, John Okelo Mboto, Opondo later surrendered himself to police officers at Bar-Ober police post. He confessed to the murder and requested that officers retrieve the body from the locked house.
Police, assisted by personnel from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), responded promptly to the scene. Upon arrival, they found the house door locked but were able to locate the key and gain entry. Inside, they discovered the lifeless body of the elderly woman lying on the floor.
The victim’s body was transported to a private mortuary in Sega town where a postmortem examination was scheduled to determine the exact cause and time of death.
At the crime scene, officers collected several pieces of evidence, including an axe and a spade, which are believed to have been used in the brutal killing. These items were taken to Ukwala police station for further forensic analysis as part of the ongoing investigation.
During interrogation, Opondo claimed that his grandmother was responsible for the family’s misfortunes, accusing her of practicing witchcraft that had allegedly stalled their progress. He said he had been deeply troubled by these beliefs, which eventually drove him to commit the heinous act.
The community has been left in shock and mourning, struggling to come to terms with the violent crime that befell one of their elderly members. Many residents expressed disbelief that such a brutal act could occur within their midst, especially involving an elderly family member.
Local leaders have condemned the act, calling for justice to be served swiftly and for measures to be put in place to prevent similar incidents. They urged residents to seek peaceful and lawful ways to address disputes rather than resorting to violence.
The suspect is currently being held at Ukwala police station as investigations continue. Authorities have vowed to carry out a thorough inquiry to establish the circumstances leading to the crime and ensure that the perpetrator is held accountable.
This tragic event highlights the ongoing challenges faced by some communities where accusations of witchcraft can lead to violence, especially targeting vulnerable elderly people. Such incidents underscore the need for increased awareness, education, and community sensitization to curb such harmful beliefs and practices.
Officials are also calling for mental health support services and conflict resolution mechanisms to be strengthened within the community to help prevent future tragedies stemming from suspicion and fear.
The police continue to appeal to anyone with information related to the case to come forward and assist in the investigation. Meanwhile, residents of Jera Central village remain grappling with the aftermath of the shocking incident that has cast a shadow over their once peaceful community.
