Homa Bay County was left in shock over the weekend following the tragic murder of a 20-year-old expectant student from Mawego National Polytechnic in a suspected love triangle dispute. The victim, Sheryl Awino, a first-year land surveyor student, was allegedly stabbed to death by her boyfriend, who is also a student at the same institution.
The gruesome incident occurred on Saturday morning when the suspect reportedly used a kitchen knife to stab Awino in the abdomen, also leading to the loss of her unborn child. Her father, John Odongo, received a distress call from his daughter’s roommate, informing him that Awino had been admitted to Kendu Adventist Hospital in Rachuonyo North. Unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries shortly afterward.
According to Odongo, investigations revealed that his daughter had been in her hostel on Friday evening when her boyfriend visited her. The two reportedly spent the entire night together without raising any suspicion among fellow students. However, at around 5 a.m. on Saturday, neighbors heard commotion from the room. Shortly after, Awino was found with a severe wound on her abdomen and was rushed to the hospital, where medical personnel discovered she was pregnant.
The family is now demanding justice, calling on authorities to arrest the suspect, who fled the scene after committing the crime. Rachuonyo North Police Commander Lydia Parteyie has confirmed that investigations are underway, and officers are working to trace and apprehend the suspect.
Second Stabbing Incident in Homa Bay
In a separate incident in Ongogo Tir village, a 27-year-old man, Boas Owino, lost his life after being stabbed by a student from Asumbi Teachers Training College (TTC) in another love-related altercation. The fight allegedly broke out over a Form Four female student, leading to a deadly confrontation.
Eyewitnesses report that the two men engaged in a heated dispute over who should have the girl. The suspect eventually drew a knife and stabbed Owino, who was rushed to Homa Bay Referral Hospital but succumbed to his injuries before receiving treatment.
The area’s acting assistant chief, Tobias On’gwena, confirmed the suspect was arrested immediately after the incident and is currently being held at Mbita Police Station pending investigations.
These two tragic events have raised concerns over rising violence among young people, particularly in educational institutions. Authorities have urged students to seek peaceful conflict resolution methods and avoid violence. Meanwhile, families of the victims continue to call for swift justice against the perpetrators of these heinous crimes.
