Police excavate boy’s body, arrest father

By NAFTAL MAKORI

A sombre mood engulfed Matongo village in Nyamira County as police excavated a grave to recover the body of a 10-year-old boy, murdered and secretly buried by his father.

At around 3.30pm on Thursday, at least four police officers, led by Joshua Tobole, a CID officer leading investigations into the bizarre incident started the excavation that took over three hours.  Hundreds of shocked villagers thronged the suspect’s home to catch a glimpse of the incident as a section of the enraged crowd wanted the police to allow them lynch the man behind the heinous crime.

But the heavily armed police officers ensured maximum security for the suspect as they dug up the “grave” that was nearly four feet deep.  The villagers were shocked to learn that the boy named Maina Mochumbe, who was reported missing last September, had been murdered and buried by his father.

The boy’s body had a rope tied around the neck. The rotten body was wrapped with a gunny bag and black polythene paper. The suspect appeared unapologetic all through. Unmoved by the intensity of the offence, he is alleged to have committed, Benard Mochumbe stayed put with handcuffs on. He accepted to speak to The Standard On Saturday and accused the dead boy of stealing his Sh150. He insists the beating was a joke.