Man arraigned for allegedly raping, strangling 71-year-old granny

Joseph Omwenga who was arraigned for allegedly raping and killing a 71-year-old grandmother in Emuhaya, Vihiga County. (Duncan Ocholla, Standard)

A man, 28 was arraigned in connection with the raping and murder of a 71-year-old granny.

Joseph Omwenga Asitiba alias Sidi did not, however, plead to the charges after the investigating officer sought for more time to conclude her investigations.

Omwenga is alleged to have raped Beatrice Maua Osea on July 27 at their Embali village, Emuhaya sub-county in Vihiga before strangling her to death. He is further reported to have dumped the victim’s body in a maize plantation.

In a sworn affidavit, Corporal Pascaline Syombua told the court that the matter was reported by area assistant chief Joyce Amahema on July 28 at 10pm.

The body was recovered with blood oozing from her genitalia pointing that the assailant had raped her and later murdered her in bid to cover up the offence.

The body had visible strangulation marks on the neck pointing that the deceased was murdered to prevent her from reporting the rape ordeal.

The suspect was arrested after preliminary investigations linked him with the gruesome murder and his blood samples forwarded to the Government Chemist in Kisumu for DNA analysis.

“The investigations are incomplete and we desperately need 14 days to conclude the probe. The suspect is yet to undergo a mandatory psychiatric test and the body of the deceased is set to be subjected to post mortem to establish the actual cause of death,” Ms Syombua told the court.

Kakamega Senior Principal Magistrate Hazel Wandere allowed the application for detention saying the offence under investigation is serious.

“Due to the serious nature of the offence, I allow the application for detention. I direct that he be presented before a psychiatric to ascertain if he is fit to stand trial,” ordered Ms Wandere.

She ordered the suspect to be held at Luanda Police Station awaiting the mention on August 13.