Police probe three suspects over kidnap and murder of boy, 5

Police in Homa Bay County are interrogating three suspects who were arrested over the death of a grade two boy who was kidnapped and later found murdered.

John Raynard, a pupil at St Dalmus Academy was found dead at Kowuondo Village in Rachuonyo North Sub-County last week, days after he went missing.

Homa Bay County Directorate of Criminal Investigations Commander Raphael Wawire said they had arrested the suspects to aid their investigations into the matter.

The suspects who include two men and a woman were detained at Kendu Bay Police Station.

“We have arrested the suspects to help us with investigations. We hope they will provide information needed to know who committed the heinous act,” Wawire said.

The five-year-old boy was kidnapped on his way to school on Thursday last week. According to the boy’s father Samuel Odoyo, the minor was kidnapped after being escorted by his elder brother to school.

Odoyo said the elder brother left the minor in company of a fellow pupil on their way to school.

However, it seemed that the kidnappers approached the two pupils at a bend on the road before arriving at the institution.  

“The other pupil sensed danger and ran away, leaving my son who was coming from behind,” Odoyo added.

Efforts by the family to look for their child proved futile until his body was discovered in bush by a herdsman.

Odoyo called on security officers in the county to accord his family justice. “This is an appalling incident and none of the suspects who committed it should go scot free,” Odoyo said.

He said the incident had instilled fear in the family and area residents.

The body was moved to Homa Bay County Referral Hospital mortuary for postmortem.