A 38-year-old man from Minyere village, South Kanyikela Sub-location, Ndhiwa Sub-County, Homa Bay County, has been arrested for allegedly killing his seven-year-old daughter by forcing her to drink a litre of petrol. The tragic event unfolded on Monday evening, with the suspect fleeing the scene before later surrendering to the police at Homa Bay Police Station.
The victim, identified as Grachines Lovely Odingo, was a Grade Two pupil at Minyere Primary School. Her decomposing body was discovered by authorities on Tuesday morning inside their home, with a bottle of petrol found nearby. The discovery confirmed suspicions that she had been poisoned. The suspect’s motives remain unclear, but domestic disputes with his estranged wife may have contributed to the horrific crime.
Odingo’s parents had separated three months ago, with the suspect retaining custody of their children. Tensions reportedly heightened after the man learned that his wife had filed a case with the children’s department. These ongoing disputes may have set the stage for the violent act.
Initially, the victim was buried following the discovery of her body, but authorities later ordered the exhumation for a post-mortem examination at Manyatta Kobodo Mortuary to determine the cause of death. Investigators are working to understand the full circumstances surrounding the incident, but domestic violence remains a strong focus.
This tragic case is part of a troubling wave of violence in Homa Bay County. Since Saturday, at least eight individuals have been killed in separate incidents, many involving knife attacks. County Commissioner Moses Lilan expressed deep concern over the rising violence and pledged to investigate all murder cases reported in the county over the past week. He assured residents that justice would be served.
Lilan also urged locals to seek peaceful resolutions to disputes, highlighting the importance of legal channels such as courts, local administration structures, and village elders. His message is clear: the violence in the area must stop, and those responsible for such crimes will be held accountable.
This devastating incident serves as a grim reminder of the growing issue of domestic violence in Kenya and the urgent need for stronger community support systems to prevent such tragedies.
