KISII, Kenya — Police have arrested a Grade 9 student in connection with the murder of two young girls whose bodies were discovered in a banana plantation in Kisii South.
The victims, Annah Bahati, 4, and Stacy Nyanchama, 5, disappeared on Tuesday evening after leaving home to play. Their bodies were found hours later in Nkura Village, leaving residents and family members in shock.
Girls Disappeared While Playing
Annah’s mother, Juliet Wache, said the children left home to play but failed to return.
“Walikuwa kwa nyumba alafu wakatoka wakasema wanaenda kucheza… ilifika 6:30pm tukaanza kuwatafuta lakini hatukuwaona,” she said.
Family members launched a search before reporting the disappearance to the police.
According to Catherine Kemuma, a relative, the family was at the police station when they received news that the girls had been found.
“Sasa aunty akakuja kuniuliza tumewaona watoto, tukatafuta na tukaenda kupiga report, sasa tukiwa station ndio tukaitwa watoto wamepatikana kwa gunia, na slippers zilikuwa kwa choo,” she said.
Police Arrest Suspect
Police officers from Suneka Police Station have arrested a Grade 9 student, who is being treated as the prime suspect in the killings.
Investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and whether any other individuals may have been involved.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the suspect’s identity because of their age.
Investigations Underway
According to preliminary investigations, detectives suspect the two children were abducted before they were killed. Police are also investigating allegations that the victims may have been sexually assaulted and poisoned before their bodies were abandoned in the plantation. The allegations have not yet been confirmed through post-mortem findings.
Faith Ondimu, Stacy’s mother, recalled the anguish of searching for her daughter.
“Tukitafuta watoto roho yangu ilikuwa inakataa wako tu hapo kwa hiyo boma, kidogo nikasikia watu wanapiga nduru,” she said.
Cyprian Geno, a relative of one of the victims, described discovering the bodies as a traumatic experience.
“Mimi ndio niliwapata, mtoto mmoja alikuwa kando na yule mwengine alikuwa amelala hapo lifeless, it was very painful,” he said.
Families Demand Justice
The bodies of the two girls have been moved to the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital Mortuary, where post-mortem examinations are expected to be conducted.
The families have called for a thorough investigation and swift justice as detectives continue to establish the motive behind the killings and determine whether additional suspects were involved.