A preacher was detained in Migori County on suspicion of killing and defiling a 10-year-old girl in Rangwe, Homa-Bay County. The suspect had reportedly been hiding at Kwoyo Legio Maria church in the Mapera neighborhood of Suna East sub-County, Migori County.
A tip from a Legio Maria cardinal led the police to the suspect’s hiding place, according to Migori county commander Mark Wanjala, who also verified the arrest.
“On November 22, about 8 am, at Kwoyo, Legio Maria church, we detained the individual. He rushed away and was hiding in the chapel, but the Legio Maria people found him,” Wanjala added.
The suspect was led to Migori Police Station before being sent to Rangwe Police Station. Where he would face murder charges, according to Wanjala.
About two weeks ago, the suspect allegedly defiled the girl in a maize plantation in Kamuombo village, Kamenya sub-location in Rangwe sub-County. When she gave back a pail they had taken from a neighbor who had been housing the suspect, the minor was subjected to the trauma.
When she arrived at the woman’s home, she discovered the suspect was there with the victim. The suspect followed the girl as she headed back to her house.
He is accused of seizing her when she was traveling and dragging her into a corn plantation where he defiled her. According to reports, the man choked her on the plantation. Her shouts were heard by a passerby, who alerted the woman to whom she had given the bucket.
She told her parents, who brought her to Homa Bay County Referral Hospital, where she passed away while receiving care. The suspect isn’t a local, according to area assistant chief Lilian Ombai.
BY LYDIA WAHU