Residents of Igoji East ward, South Imenti constituency in Meru County are still reeling in shock and disbelief after a grade 9 girl was raped and murdered in a beastly incident during the Christmas festivities.
The lifeless body of the minor was discovered by a Boda Boda rider at a secluded spot on a road near Igoji Teachers College.
Initial assessments indicate that she was stripped naked, sexually assaulted and strangled to death with the scene of incident indicating multiple assailants.
The body of the deceased was identified as Betty Karendi, a 14 years old Grade 9 pupil at St. Jude Primary School, Igoji.
According to her mother, Betty had left home in the evening apparently to attend a Kesha at the local Catholic Church.
Ironically, she was later spotted with friends in the evening at a popular garden and restaurant located near the college.
She allegedly left the premises in the company of individuals who are yet to be identified.
“Some residents in the area reported hearing screams around midnight but had assumed they were related to Christmas festivities celebrations. That is why they didn’t respond to the distress calls,” said a villager.
Later police officers from Kieni Kia Ndege Police Station responded to the incident and transferred the body to Kanyakine Hospital Mortuary, where it is being preserved pending a post-mortem examination.
It has been established that CCTV cameras are installed at the restaurant.
Interestingly, the footage has not yet been released, despite its relevance in determining the individuals she was last seen with and movements before leaving the premises.
Also, the CCTV footage would be crucial in determining the timeline of events leading to her death.
A police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity said initial investigation indicates seven suspects including a woman were involved in the unfortunate incident.
