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Govt vows action after 9-year-old girl is killed by relative
13th February, 2026 01:16 AM
Caption:Government vows action after 9-year-old girl is killed by relative. Video/K24TV Principal Secretary for Gender and Affirmative Action Anne Wang’ombe has assured residents of swift justice and stronger measures to curb rising cases of violence against children following the brutal killing of nine-year-old Shantel Waruguru by a relative last weekend.
The PS spoke when she visited the grieving family at their home in Kianjogu village, Mathira Constituency, where sorrow and anger filled the compound as relatives and neighbours gathered to mourn the young girl whose life was cut short under tragic circumstances.
Wang’ombe comforted the family and condemned the killing, describing it as a heartbreaking reminder of the growing threat facing children within their own homes and communities.
“We lost Chantelle in the hands of her own uncle. Sadly, she is not the only child we have lost. In the last one year alone, we have lost six children in this county. Enough is enough,” she said.
She commended security agencies for their swift response, noting that several suspects linked to gender-based violence and defilement cases have been arrested and arraigned in court, while others remain under investigation.
However, she emphasized that preventing such crimes requires collective responsibility from members of the public.
“This is not just a security issue, it is a societal problem. We know these abusers. We know the drug peddlers and those selling illicit brews that fuel these crimes. Don’t take the law into your hands, but report them. We must flush them out and protect our children,” Wang’ombe urged.
The PS said the government is working closely with the National Council on the Administration of Justice to fast-track GBV and defilement cases through specialised courts to ensure justice is delivered without delay. She added that the Sexual Offences Act is under review to tighten laws and seal loopholes that allow offenders to escape punishment.
“It is painful that such a crime has happened right here at home, but we are determined to ensure the perpetrators face the full force of the law. With collective effort, we will bring this to an end once and for all,” she said.
