Detectives in Murang’a County have launched an investigation after the body of a four-year-old boy was discovered with severe head injuries in Kiriaini village, Mathioya. The child, a PP1 pupil, was found lying in a pool of blood on Wednesday evening. A bloodstained panga was recovered at the scene and is being treated as a possible murder weapon.
Residents apprehended a suspect linked to the incident and assaulted him before police intervened and rescued the individual. The suspect is now in custody at a local police station pending further questioning and possible arraignment on murder charges. Authorities said they are still working to establish a motive in the case.
The boy’s remains were moved to the county mortuary for a postmortem examination, which officials say will help determine the cause and time of death. Investigators have appealed to members of the public with information to come forward, stressing that community cooperation is critical to solving the crime and bringing justice for the family.
The case in Mathioya comes amid a worrying pattern of child-related violent incidents across the country. In Nairobi’s Kawangware area, police are investigating the discovery of an infant girl whose body was found inside a torn briefcase at a garbage site. Preliminary inquiries suggest the child may have been a victim of infanticide. The victim appeared to be about two months old and was taken to the mortuary as detectives opened inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the death.
In Nandi County, a separate incident ended with a more hopeful outcome after a newborn baby boy was found alive after being abandoned in a pit latrine. Local authorities rescued the infant and rushed him to hospital, where he is reported to be in stable condition. Police said the mother fled the scene and detectives are attempting to trace her whereabouts.
Also reported was a disturbance in Marereni, Kilifi County, where a 70-year-old man, Hassan Barro, collapsed while searching for stolen cattle and later died in hospital. Angry residents stormed the local dispensary and removed Barro’s body amid claims of foul play. Police have since clarified preliminary findings indicate the man collapsed, rather than being killed, and efforts are underway to recover the body and address community concerns.
Senior officers emphasised that violent acts against children and summary actions by mobs undermine the rule of law and complicate investigations. Authorities urged communities to allow police to carry out lawful procedures and to avoid taking matters into their own hands. They also reiterated the importance of reporting suspicious activity to the nearest station promptly.
As investigations continue in Mathioya, Kawangware, Nandi and Kilifi, police promised thorough and transparent inquiries and pledged to keep the public informed of any developments. Anyone with information related to the Mathioya case is asked to contact their nearest police station or the county criminal investigations office to assist detectives in piecing together the events that led to these tragic incidents. Community leaders must support victims and cooperate fully with law enforcement during these investigations. Urgently.
