In a quiet corner of Gatundu, surrounded by rolling tea fields and the hum of early harvest, a grim discovery has left a community in shock.
An eight-year-old girl, who had been missing since last week, was found dead in the middle of a plantation in Theta village, Kiambu County. Her body showed signs of brutal violence, with deep wounds on her neck, back and chest, and a severe cut behind her right ear.
Police said the girl disappeared on 9 May. Her family raised the alarm that evening, prompting a local search. Her body was discovered the following day, lying among the dense green leaves of the tea estate.
“This is a tragedy. No child deserves such an end,” said one local elder, visibly shaken, who helped in the search. “We just want answers.”
As of Tuesday morning, no arrests had been made. Officers confirmed the investigation is ongoing and that a post-mortem will be conducted at Gatundu Level Five Hospital.
A Rising Tide of Violence
The killing is the latest in a string of disturbing cases across the country.
In Kakamega County, a 48-year-old teacher was found dead near his home in the Kambi Mapesa area. Identified by police as Evans Ambaka Vilimu, he had suffered deep cuts to the head and chin. His body was discovered roughly 10 metres from his doorstep.
“He was a quiet man, respected by his pupils,” said a fellow teacher from Kambi Mapesa Primary School. “We are struggling to understand who would want to hurt him.”
The motive in both killings remains unclear, police said.
In Nairobi’s Kayole neighbourhood, another woman was killed over the weekend in what investigators believe was a domestic dispute. Sharon Wambui, a waitress in the Donholm area, was reportedly stabbed to death in her home while her child played outside.
The suspect—believed to be her boyfriend—fled the scene and has not been seen since.
“She had wounds in her chest and neck,” a police spokesperson confirmed. “We believe she was attacked in the house. The child is safe and in the care of relatives.”
No Easy Answers
While each case is being treated separately, they paint a bleak picture of rising violence in Kenya, especially involving women and children. Community leaders have called for urgent action.
“There’s a sense of fear settling in,” said Jane Nduta, a women’s rights advocate based in Nairobi. “These tragedies are no longer isolated incidents. We need better protection and faster investigations.”
Police have urged members of the public to come forward with any information that might help with the cases. But in communities already grieving, trust is thin.
As the tea fields of Gatundu rustle in the breeze, the weight of unanswered questions hangs heavy in the air.
