The four-year old toddler whose body had been found in the Thuci river ten days ago has been laid to rest. The bereaved parents can only hope that there is justice, but they depend on action of the authorities. It is not the first murder case in the area. Three months ago a little girl was also found dead in a nearby water. What happens in Kenya these days? (webmaster FVDK)
A cry for justice: murdered boy buried in Embu County; Brayden Mutwiri murder linked to ritual killing
Published: January 23, 2021 By: KTN news, from The Standard – video
A somber mood engulfed the burial ceremony of Brayden Mutwiri, a four year old boy whose body was found decomposing at river Thuci last week in Embu County. The boy whose death is suspected to have been linked to a ritual killing was today laid to rest in Kanyuambora, Mbeere North Sub-County, Embu County.
It’s not the first time that Kenyans take the law into their own hands – and it won’t be the last time either. Of course, this is wrong. The rue of the law must apply. People who are suspected of committing a crime should be apprehended, put on trial, and an impartial judge should find them guilty or not-guilty. However, the anger of local residents sometimes unlashes forces which result in mob justice. It happened in Kavengero village, in Embu County, after the mutilated, dead body of a four-year old toddler had been found in a nearby river.
An autopsy must confirm whether this was a case of ritual murder. Meanwhile the local population has no doubts. Their anger was fed by the fact that three months ago, a little girl was also found dead and floating in the water.
The obligation of the state is to protect its citizens and to arrest, try and sentence people who break the law (webmaster FVDK).
Residents of Kavengero village in Embu County at the scene near Thuci River where the body of a four-year-old-boy was found on January 13, 2021. Photo: George Munene
Angry Residents Burn Down 4 Houses Belonging to Trader
Published: January 14, 2021 By: Kenyans.co.ke – Michael Musyoka
Angry residents on Wednesday, January 13, descended on the homestead of a trader in Embu burning down four houses, whom they believed was behind the kidnapping and eventual murder of boy in the area.
Confirming the incident, Mbeere North Sub-County Police Commander Kilonzo Kivinda stated that the residents went on a rampage after police discovered the body of a four-year-old boy dumped in the Thuci river.
“The mob became violent and destroyed property owned by the trader over the death of the boy but we are investigating the matter,” he stated.
According to the security official, the residents raided the man’s shop setting it ablaze using petrol before heading to his homestead where they burnt down all the buildings there.
The mob also uprooted his Muguka crop in their outrage.
The police commander warned the residents against taking the law into their own hands adding that they had arrested the trader for questioning.
We have picked up the trader and he is assisting us with investigations,” he stated.
The body of the boy who had gone missing in December 2020, was discovered by criminal investigation officers in between rocks in the river with the tongue missing.
The body was taken to Siakago Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem.
Area chief Charles Njeru noted that the residents launched a search for the boy when he had gone missing.
He added that the boy was the second child from the area to be retrieved from the river.
“Three months ago, a little girl was also found dead and floating in the water,” he added.
