Residents block roads, burn houses after body of 9-year-old girl is found in latrine in Mathira
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Detectives are investigating an incident where the body of a nine-year-old girl was found in a pit latrine in Kiamachimbi area, Mathira, Nyeri County.
The girl had been missing before her body was found in the latrine on February 10, 2026.
She had gone missing two days earlier. Police said after the body was found in the latrine, locals torched five structures belonging to a suspect and his family.
The group also blocked roads in the area while demanding justice for the murder of the child.
More police officers had to be mobilized to the area to respond to the protests and used teargas canisters to disperse the group.
The local fire brigade managed to retrieve the body from the latrine before a mob forcefully took it from the scene.
This again prompted more chaos as police moved to take it away by use of force.
A suspect was arrested and presented in a local court where police were allowed to detain him for 14 days pending investigations.
The motive of the murder was not immediately known, police said adding their probe was progressing well.
The protesters were later dispersed late in the evening, police said.
Meanwhile, police in Kiamaciri, Kirinyaga County are investigating the drowning of a one-year-old baby boy in a family well.
The incident happened in Kianjogu village on February 10 as the child walked there. A neighbour said he saw the iron sheet used in covering the well missing and got concerned.
He went to check and discovered the child having drowned with the body submerged in the well and trapped by the cover iron sheet. He raised alarm to the neighborhood who responded to find the child drowned.
The body was moved to the mortuary pending an autopsy and investigations.
In Ahero, Kisumu County, the body of a mechanic who had been missing was found drowned in a river.
He was identified as George Oruko, 41. Police said they are investigating the incident.