A 33-year-old woman was arrested by police in Teso South, Busia County in connection with the suspected murder of her 12-year-old son following allegations of violent assault at their home.
According to the police, the case came to light after the woman and her husband visited a local chief’s office seeking a burial permit for their son.
The child reportedly died on May 9 while being rushed to Alupe Sub-County Referral Hospital.
Police said the area chief became suspicious after inconsistencies emerged in the couple’s explanation regarding the boy’s death, prompting further inquiries.
Preliminary investigations established that the deceased, a Grade Six pupil at St. Thomas Chakol Boys Primary School, had earlier been summoned to school on May 8 alongside his mother after allegations that he had stolen money from another pupil.
Authorities said the matter was resolved by the school administration and the child later returned home appearing healthy.
However, investigations indicate that later that evening, his biological mother allegedly revisited the issue at home and severely assaulted him.
The following day, the boy reportedly succumbed to his injuries while being escorted to hospital.
Officers who visited Alupe University Mortuary found the child’s body bearing visible injuries on the head, hands and legs.
Police also said the mortuary attendant disclosed something else. The child’s mother and stepfather had allegedly instructed him not to allow other people to view the body.
The woman was arrested and placed in custody to assist with investigations.
Detectives await for a postmortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
Elsewhere, police in Bungoma South launched investigations into the murder of a county public health officer who was attacked and killed outside his home in Musikoma location early Tuesday May 12 morning.
The incident occurred at about 2:50 am in Wabhuke village, Namasanda.
The deceased was identified as Pascal Wanjala Wakafura, 38, a public health officer working for the County Government of Bungoma.
Police officers visited the scene and established that the victim had just arrived home when he was ambushed within his compound by unknown attackers.
Investigators believe the assailants lay in wait for him to alight from his vehicle before attacking him using crude weapons. These included a rungu and timber.
The body was found with visible injuries at the back of the neck. Blood was also seen oozing from the mouth, ears and nose.
Police said nothing appeared to have been stolen from the deceased. His mobile phone was recovered intact from his trouser pocket, suggesting the motive may not have been robbery.
Authorities said the victim’s wife raised an alarm during the attack, prompting the assailants to flee.
Crime Scene Investigators processed and documented the scene. Afterwards, the body was moved to Delight Mortuary Ndengelwa pending a postmortem examination.
Investigations into the motive and those behind the killing are ongoing.
