A tragic loss has shaken the Werugha community as a 6-year-old girl grade two was found dead in a fish pond on 18th June 2025 after she was defiled and strangled by her uncle. Samuel Mwalukuku, the victim’s grandfather, narrated the devastating events which led to the victim’s death.
According to Samuel, the suspected killer came home only to find that no one was around. He then proceeded to his cousin’s house where his aunt, Samuel’s wife, came and went back home with him. On arriving home, the victim was also coming back from school. They had tea and the grandmother together with the victim went to the shopping center. Rose later went to her uncle’s house to wait for her aunt. The aunt, Samuel’s daughter, picked up the victim from her uncle’s house and went back home.
On arriving home, they found the suspect. The aunt left Rose with the suspect and went in to change her clothes and on coming back out she couldn’t find either of them. She searched for Rose and couldn’t find her and assumed that she had gone back to her grandmother. According to Samuel, he arrived home to find his daughter talking to a man. On approaching them, the man quickly walked away carrying a jerrycan. On inquiring the identity of the man, his daughter told him it was Ken, the suspect. He then started following Ken but couldn’t find him and he assumed Ken went to take a shower. He then asked his daughter about the whereabouts of Rose. Shortly after, the grandmother came and asked about the whereabouts of Rose. That’s when the panic began and she started searching for Rose.
“My wife started searching the rooms before going to the neighbors without seeing her. They continued the search and reached the pond where they found shoes suspected to be Rose’s. They started screaming,” said Samuel.
In addition, Rose’s grandfather explained how the family was shocked to find the lifeless body of Rose in the pond with bruises on her neck.
“After spotting the shoes, we suspected Rose could have drowned in the pond and started searching for her body with the help of the neighbors and Ken, the suspect. We retrieved the body and checked if she had drowned by doing chest compressions before taking her body for post mortem where it was discovered that she had not drowned, rather, she had been defiled and strangled to death,” said Samuel.
The family accused the suspect of defiling and killing their child. This sparked outrage among the Werugha residents leading to protests demanding justice for Rose.
“We condemn this heinous act and we demand justice. So far, this is the fourth incident we have had. This is against human rights and we strongly condemn femicide and gender-based violence. We are holding peaceful demonstrations until we get justice and end gender-based violence. We want the child protection policy to be implemented so that the perpetrators can be brought to book,” said Lydia Mwambere, Chairlady Sauti ya Wanawake.
The Deputy County Commissioner of Wundanyi joined in condemning the heinous act confirming that the suspect was arrested and was already arraigned in court at Wundanyi Law Court. She added that cases of gender-based violence have been on the rise in Taita-Taveta county where men are the perpetrators. She further urged witnesses to come forward and help in the investigations.
“It is shocking that the number of gender-based violence cases involving women and girls in Taita-Taveta are going up and to end this vice it needs collective efforts from the public and other stakeholders including Women and Children rights defenders. I want to confirm that the suspect has been arrested and presented to court and I urge the public to stay calm as investigations continue,” said Jane Kaigati, DCC Wundanyi.
Women and Children rights defenders have come forward to demand justice for the victim and immediate investigation on the matter by submitting petitions to the Taita-Taveta county assembly, the county department of gender, the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Judiciary, Police, Children’s Office and Werugha chief.
“We urge these offices to facilitate and fast track the investigations around the death of the 6-year-old Rose who was defiled and murdered before her body was found in a pond. We emphasize that this is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing trend. We urge our officers to act swiftly and justly,” said Clemence Wawuda.
In conclusion, femicide and gender-based violence are tragic consequences of deep-rooted gender inequality and harmful social norms. These crimes highlight the urgent need for stronger prevention, community support, and efforts to empower women and girls. Ending such violence requires collective action to challenge discrimination and protect vulnerable lives.
