Boy, 15, held for death of 9-year-old girl over avocados

A 15-year-old boy is in custody in Murang'a County as the main suspect for the killing of a nine-year-old girl.

The minor's remains were discovered buried in a shallow grave three days after she went missing.

The discovery at Ihiga-ini village led to the arrest of the Standard Six pupil, suspected to have been the last person to be seen with her on Saturday at 9am. 

The body of Purity Njeri, who was in Grade Three, had deep injuries on the head, suspected to have been inflicted by a fork jembe.

The two had been schoolmates at Ihiga-ini Primary School, which shares a name with their village.

Njeri's father Patrick Muiruri said his daughter left home to pick avocado fruits offered by a neighbour.

“Her body was found 30 metres from the avocado tree in the neighbour's farm and booked at the police patrol base,” he said. It is thought Njeri and the suspect may have differed over the avocados.

Murang’a County Police Commander Josphat Kinyua said the teenager was arrested following suspicion that he was involved in the killing.

“The matter is under police investigations, while the body was moved to Murang’a district mortuary for a postmortem examination,” said Kinyua.

The matter is being investigated by Murang’a South DCI office as the teenager is held at Maragua Police Station.