Villagers flee in fear of retaliation after girl's body exhumed

Deserted houses in Buhuru village, Kakamega county after villagers fled after suspected murder case. [Mumo Munuve, Standard]

Locals have fled their homes on the border of Mumias East and Navakholo constituencies for fear of retaliatory attacks following a recent killing.

Trouble in Buhuru village started on Thursday when officers from Shianda Police Station, with the help of villagers, exhumed a teenage girl's body.

A man from the village is suspected to have killed the girl who went missing last year, and buried her in a two-feet-deep grave beside his house before planting vegetables on the site.

The shocking news led the villagers to flee for fear of revenge attacks by people from the girl's village in the neighboring Navakholo Constituency.

The suspect, in his mid-twenties, was arrested and after grilling, directed police officers at the shallow grave.

The girl's uncle, Alex Wanjala, said he received the heartbreaking news from police and was required to accompany them for the exhumation.

Wanjala called upon the government agencies to ensure justice prevails.

Mumias West OCPD Steven Muoni said the suspect was abusing drugs, and would be charged next week.

“It is unfortunate that young people are engaging in crime... We urge our youth to shun drugs that lead them to commit such horrific crimes,” said Muoni.