Othaya family ‘possessed’ by demons

     Jenerica Wanjiku Muchiri (L) and her mother Agnes Wangui Muchiri (R) when they appeared before Othaya Principal Magistrate Henry Okwemba Dec. 9 - 2014, facing charges of murdering a child at Kathumbi, in Othaya. They were detained at the Othaya Police Station. PHOTO: MOSE SAMMY/STANDARD

Barely a week after Paul Magu’s family was laid to rest, a woman and her daughter have been accused of killing a 10-month-old infant and burying it secretly.

Reuben Kogi, Wangui’s brother, told the media that his mother and sister had been acting strangely before the child was reported missing. Kogi claimed, “It seems they were possessed by demons.”

John Maina, a neighbour also claimed to have noted strange behaviour in the women.

“They have been picking tea after 6pm and at times picking coffee on Sundays and taking it to the nearest factory, even though the factory is normally closed on Sundays.”

Police in Othaya obtained court orders to have the body of the baby girl exhumed.

Othaya Principal Magistrate Henry Nyakwemba also granted police orders to have the two suspects remanded pending investigations.

Agnes Wangui Muchiri, 32, who is the mother of the baby, and her mother, Jenerica Wanjiku Muchiri, 54, allegedly committed the gruesome murder.

According to the affidavit sworn in court by Deputy OCS Jebason Okong’o, the two suspects allegedly killed Lucy Wambui Wangui on the night of December 4, at around 4am.

The suspects did not take their pleas, and were remanded at Othaya Police Station until December 19.

The two were picked by police at their home in Kihungi village on December 7 after the child went missing.

It is claimed that Agnes showed police a shallow grave in their compound where her child was buried.

Maina claimed the pair refused family members access to the home.