A 17-year-old girl has been arrested in connection with the shocking murder of a 3-year-old child in Menengai, Nakuru County. The disturbing incident took place near PCEA Shalom Mchanganyiko Church, sparking widespread grief and calls for justice from the local community.
Authorities say the alarm was raised after police received a distress call reporting that a young girl had been found unconscious roughly 50 meters from the church. Despite efforts to save her, the child identified as Margaret was pronounced dead upon arrival at Kenlands Hospital.
Initial investigations indicate that the teenager allegedly lured the toddler away from the church compound to a secluded location, where she is suspected of strangling the child with a piece of cloth. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and investigators are continuing to probe the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Acting on intelligence gathered from eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage, law enforcement officers launched a swift operation that led to the suspect’s arrest at her home in Judea Village, located within the Menengai Sub-Location of Kiamaina Ward.
During the arrest, police recovered what is believed to be key evidence clothing worn by the suspect at the time of the incident, as seen on surveillance footage, and the cloth allegedly used in the murder. The recovered items are expected to play a critical role in the upcoming legal proceedings.
Currently in custody, the teenager is undergoing further interrogation as the authorities prepare to present her in court. The case has sparked a public outcry, with community members expressing horror at the tragic death of a child in a place considered safe.
Church leaders and family members of the deceased are calling for justice and urging parents to remain vigilant about their children’s whereabouts, especially in public spaces. A church elder described the incident as “a tragedy beyond comprehension,” noting that a child who had simply been playing during a church service was taken in such a brutal manner.
Child protection groups are also urging that the suspect’s mental health be evaluated as part of the ongoing investigation. They are calling on authorities to not only focus on prosecution but also to understand potential underlying social or psychological factors that may have contributed to the crime.
Police, meanwhile, are asking the public to remain calm and allow the justice system to handle the matter transparently and firmly. They have promised that the case will be pursued thoroughly and that every effort will be made to ensure justice is served.
Investigations are still underway.
