Class Eight girl murdered, body dumped in thicket

Relatives and family react after viewing body of Shyline Moraa a student at Kionganyo primary found in a thicket in Kisii. [Sammy Omingo]

Police in Kisii are investigating a Sunday night murder of a Standard Eight student, Shyleen Mokeira at Kionganyo village, Kisii Central.

The bruised body of the girl who was schooling at Kionganyo Primary was found dumped in a thicket near her home.

She is said to have left home around 6pm on Sunday evening without announcing her itinerary never to return.

Her body had visible bruises on the head and blood oozing from the nose. She also had blood stains on her clothes.

The thicket where the body was dumped belongs to Kenya Agricultural Research Institute where locals are allowed to graze their animals as well as plant napier grass.

Her mother Eveline Nyanchama said their Sunday night search for her daughter did not bear fruit.

“My daughter had never stayed out till late. We feared going deep into the thickets because of heavy rains and darkness,” she said.

Her fears of her daughter having been killed were confirmed on Monday morning when the body, covered by fresh leaves, was retrieved in the thicket a few metres from her home.

“She had on several occasions complained of being threatened by my neighbour’s son. I talked to the mother of the said lad, but it seems to have been in vain,” said Nyanchama.

Nyanchama, who is a widow also attributed her general troubles in society including the murder to the passing on of her husband some 15 years ago.

“I have struggled to feed and educate my family, but domestic issues have become overwhelming.”

Kisii Central Director of Criminal Investigations Martian Korongo said a postmortem examination on the body was booked, which will help put together information that may lead to the arrest of the killer(s).