By S, KNA
Tension was high in Waundo village, Suba North Constituency, Homa Bay County, after residents took to the streets to protest a court decision that freed suspects linked to the defilement and murder of a schoolgirl.
The primary school pupil was allegedly attacked a few weeks back while returning home from school and later found dead in a nearby bush with her body doused with acid, a horrifying incident that left the community in shock and sparked widespread calls for justice.
The protests, led by Mary Lorna Owino, chairlady of the Daughters of Waundo organisation drew dozens of villagers who carried placards demanding justice.
Owino condemned the acquittal, saying the decision has eroded public trust in the justice system and left women and children in fear. “The suspects are now back in the community. People are afraid. We are asking the government to step in and ensure justice is done,” she said.
She appealed to Governor Gladys Wanga, Woman Representative Joyce Bensuda, and Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo to intervene and help reopen investigations.
The demonstrators accused law enforcement agencies of mishandling the case, calling for accountability from those involved in the initial probe.
The victim’s father, Silas Ogolla, said the family was devastated by the court’s ruling, which acquitted the three suspects for allegedly lack of sufficient evidence. “We are heartbroken. We have not seen justice for our daughter,” he said, adding that the family lacked funds to travel for the ruling, and could only facilitate his wife to travel to the Mbita court.
Ogolla recounted how his wife fainted in court upon hearing the judgment.
The girl’s mother, Christine Atieno, said the family was dismayed to learn that key forensic samples were never processed while other investigators returned inconclusive results. “We feel abandoned. We don’t understand how evidence can just disappear,” she said tearfully.
As the family mourns their daughter weeks after her death, they say they will not relent until those responsible for her killing are brought to book.
