Two school girls aged four and nine killed in cold blood in Kisii

Four suspects were yesterday arrested following the killing of two school girls at Keberesi village in Kisii on Wednesday evening.

The body of Stephanie Kerubo, four, a nursery school child at Kenyenya Primary School, was lying at the rear door of their house, a brassiere tied around her neck.

That of Diana Kerubo, nine, a Standard One in the same school, lay a few metres away with a strap of a cloth tied around her neck. Her underpants were halfway pulled down.

Police fear that the killers might have defiled Diana. The officers are also trying to find out what caused a swelling on Stephanie's forehead.

Two pairs of shoes and a pair of blue school uniforms were dumped on the rear doorway.

Mason Mirochi, 50, and a Deputy Head teacher at Riokindo Primary School, and who was the minors' guardian, told The Standard that he found his main gate locked at around 5pm.

He jumped over the fence and as he approached the main door, he realised it was locked from inside. “I called the two children but none was responding. I went round the house and bumped on the two bodies lying on separate scenes,” he said.

He said the minors always stayed home alone after leaving school in the afternoon while his wife, Gladys Mirochi, a fishmonger, left for the nearby Kenyenya market. Mrs Mirochi said the two minors were bright and disciplined. “God will punish the killers”.

Mr Mirochi said the minors were left under his care by a niece and his granddaughter, who have since been married.

Kenyenya Deputy County Commissioner David Mbevi called on the community to report any suspect linked to the killings.

“Our investigative agencies have the responsibility to arrest the culprits, but the community must be willing to assist us. The culprits escaped with Sh36,000 from the house,” said Mr Mbevi.

Kisii County Police Coordinator Martin Kibet told The Standard on the telephone that all behind the killing would be arrested.