Shock and grief have gripped western Kenya after two separate killings left a 12-year-old boy dead in Busia and a Bungoma county health officer brutally attacked outside his home.
In Busia County, detectives arrested a 33-year-old woman over the suspected murder of her son following claims he was severely assaulted at their home in Teso South.
Police said the case emerged after the woman and her husband visited a local chief’s office seeking a burial permit for the boy.
The child is reported to have died on May 9 while being rushed to Alupe Sub-County Referral Hospital.
According to investigators, the area chief became suspicious after inconsistencies allegedly emerged in the couple’s explanation about the boy’s death, prompting further inquiries.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the deceased, a Grade Six pupil at St Thomas Chakol Boys Primary School, had been summoned to school a day earlier alongside his mother over allegations that he had stolen money from another pupil.
Authorities said the matter was handled by the school administration, and the boy later returned home, appearing healthy.
However, police allege that later that evening, the child’s biological mother revisited the matter at home and assaulted him.
The following day, the boy reportedly succumbed to his injuries while being taken to the hospital.
Officers who visited Alupe University Mortuary said the child’s body bore visible injuries on the head, hands and legs.
Police further claimed that a mortuary attendant told investigators that the child’s mother and stepfather had allegedly instructed him not to allow other people to view the body.
The woman was arrested and detained to assist with investigations as detectives prepare for a postmortem examination to establish the exact cause of death.
Meanwhile, in Bungoma County, police have launched investigations into the killing of a county public health officer who was attacked outside his home in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The deceased was identified as Pascal Wanjala Wakafura, 38, a public health officer working for the County Government of Bungoma.
Police said the incident happened at about 2.50 am in Wabhuke ‘A’ village in Musikoma location.
Investigators believe the attackers lay in wait for Wakafura before ambushing him moments after he arrived home.
According to police, the assailants attacked him using crude weapons, including a rungu and timber, shortly after he alighted from his vehicle within his compound.
His body was found with injuries at the back of the neck, while blood was reportedly oozing from the mouth, ears and nose.
Police said nothing appeared to have been stolen from the deceased, as his mobile phone was recovered intact from his trouser pocket, raising questions over the motive behind the attack.
Authorities added that the victim’s wife raised an alarm during the incident, forcing the attackers to flee.
Scenes of crime officers documented the area before the body was moved to Delight Mortuary in Ndengelwa, pending a postmortem examination.
Police said investigations into the killing and the identity of those behind it are ongoing.
