Angry villagers demand cremation of slain ‘rapist’

VOI: Villagers interrupted the burial of a man who was lynched on Saturday for raping and killing a girl in Wundanyi. A riot broke out after residents demanded the disposal of Nahashon Chovu's body in the bush to be eaten by wild animals or its cremation after being linked to gruesome murder of nine-year-old Wanjala Soghona. The burial was conducted in a hurry without any form of ceremony.

Chovu's body had been lying at Wesu sub-district hospital since he was killed. The deceased, aged 55, lived alone after divorcing his wife. Lushangonyi Assistant Chief in Taita sub-county Ancoln Maghanga said Choke village elders, led by Walter Teri, had to calm the angry villagers to allow the burial. The girl's body was buried on Tuesday. The attacker slit her throat with a machete after raping her. Taita-Taveta Deputy Governor Mary Ndiga Kibuka and other leaders attended her burial.