A third-year Murang’a University student is being held by police for allegedly killing a three-year-old boy and dumping the body in a maize farm after quarreling with his lover, the victim’s mother.
The suspect, Festus Wachira Maina, on Sunday led police officers to the body of the boy which was dumped in a farm neighbouring Murang’a GK Prison.
Murang’a County police commander, Mr Josephat Kinyua, said the suspect took the child with him on December 5 to his rental house at St Mary’s Estate.
The mother became concerned after the child was not returned to her house and subsequently reported the matter to the police.
Mr Kinyua said the student was arrested, and after interrogation, admitted to have killed the boy following disagreement with the boy’s mother’s mother, with whom they have been in a relationship for several years.
“The suspect led us to where the body was dumped. The murder probably occurred on Friday night. From the body, we could ascertain that the child was hit with a blunt object on the head,” said Kinyua.
The mother is from Nyandarua County and has been working in Murang’a town where she met with the university student.
Neighbours who talked to KNA said the student and the woman had been cohabiting but the student had also rented out a house near the university.
“Our neighbour informed us that his son was missing after he accompanied her lover on Thursday night and but he failed to bring him back. The two were having disagreements for some time,” said Anne Wanjiku,
Mr Kinyua said they have almost completed investigations and the student will be arraigned on Monday and charged with murder.
The police boss appealed to students, especially those in institutions of higher learning to focus on their studies and avoid engaging in illicit relationships.
“There is need for counselling and guidance to our young people at least to know how to handle difficult situations instead of resulting to kill,” said Mr Kinyua.
