Probe on as girl, 3, stabbed, burnt to death

Detectives are investigating the murder of a three-year-old girl whose body was recovered from a maize plantation in Kegonga, Kuria, Migori county.

The motive of the murder was not immediately established, police said.

The mother of the child told police that she left the child at a neighbour’s house and went to the posho mill only to find her missing when she returned home.

This prompted a search that led the locals to a maize plantation where they recovered the body. It had stab wounds in the chest.

Police said the girl’s body also had burns in the abdomen.

Police were called to the scene and moved the body to the mortuary pending postmortem. No arrest had been made by Tuesday, police said.

A team visited the area and questioned at least four people as part of investigations.

In Nzambani, Kitui county, Wambua Kitongu, 39, was found murdered and his body abandoned on the roadside. The motive of the murder was not immediately known, police said.

Residents found the body on Kangweni-Kamale road. It had two deep cuts in the head and right ankle.

A suspect was arrested over the murder, police said as they moved the body to the mortuary pending postmortem.

In Kangundo, Machakos county, Bernard Mwema, 72, died after being assaulted by people known to him.

Police said the deceased’s body had multiple injuries and was moved to the mortuary pending postmortem.

Police said they are investigating murder.

Meanwhile, police are investigating murder of a suspected thief who was stoned to death and body set on fire over claims he stole a motorcycle in Marima, Tharaka Nithi county.

Another man believed to be an accomplice managed to escape the scene. Police said cases of theft of motorcycles had soared in the area prompting mobs to be on alert.

Police said they are investigating the incidents and have discouraged mobs against mob lynching.

The body was moved to the mortuary pending postmortem and other procedures.

Cases of mob lynching have been on the rise in separate places amid calls to address the trend. Police say most of the incidents remain under unsolved and under probe.