Police arrest Kenyan man linked to kidnap, murder of three-year-old boy

A court has allowed police to hold a man for 10 days after he was linked to the kidnapping and murder of a three-year-old boy.

Gravics Juma Akweyu alias Foreman is alleged to have kidnapped Leon Kipsaina in Lumakanda, Likuyani sub-county, on July 25 jointly with others who are still on the run.

They later demanded money from his father, Howard Omtoku, an engineer with the Kenya National Highways Authority based in Garissa County, in exchange for the child.

Leon Kipsaina [DUNCAN OCHOLLA, STANDARD]

The body of a child suspected to be Leon was found in Kipkaren River on July 31. The postmortem established the child died of strangulation. 

Mr Akweyu was arrested in Bungoma on September 28.

Detective Erick Ogutu told the court that the father had already sent the kidnappers Sh20,000 as he negotiated how much he would pay them in total.

Leon Kipsaina [DUNCAN OCHOLLA, STANDARD]

The investigating officer told the court that once the investigations were complete, the suspect would be charged with kidnap, murder and conspiracy to commit a felony.

“It is within the interests of justice that the suspect herein is held for a period of 10 days to facilitate investigations concerning the mysterious disappearance. He is in possession of crucial leads that can help us identify the whereabouts of the child in question,” Mr Ogutu said in a sworn affidavit.

Kakamega Resident Magistrate William Lopokoiyit ordered that Juma remains in custody to allow police time to unravel the mystery. The matter will be mentioned on October 3.