Four suspects linked to the tragic murder of two-day-old fraternal twins in Dololo Boji village, Dukana Sub-County, Marsabit County, were arraigned in a Marsabit court. The suspects Bokayo Jaro Wario, Konso Isacko Godana, Umuro Isacko Godana, and Isacko Godana Adano are accused of orchestrating the murder of the newborns.
The twins, who were born on January 19, 2025, at Dukana Health Center, were allegedly strangled to death, reportedly following an outdated cultural belief that firstborn twins bring bad omens to families or clans.
During the court session, the suspects were not required to enter a plea. The prosecution requested 14 days to complete investigations, which Principal Magistrate Simon Arome granted. The suspects will remain in custody at Marsabit police station during this period. The investigation will include recording statements from key witnesses, conducting mental examinations of the suspects, and exhuming the bodies of the deceased infants for a postmortem.
The court also ordered that the first suspect, Bokayo Jaro Wario, undergo a medical examination to determine her age and ensure she receives any necessary medical care. Bokayo, who claims to be 20 years old, did not oppose the prosecution’s request for exhumation or her detention to allow for further investigations.
Konso Isacko Godana, the second suspect and Bokayo’s mother-in-law, initially objected to the exhumation of the infants’ bodies but later consented following the court’s ruling.
This case has spotlighted harmful cultural practices still prevalent in certain communities. Authorities are treating the incident with the seriousness it deserves, emphasizing the need for justice for the innocent lives lost.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has been directed to expedite the postmortem and gather all relevant evidence within 10 days. A mention of the case is scheduled for February 4, 2025, when the progress of the investigations will be reviewed.
This tragedy has sparked outrage among residents and advocacy groups, who have called for increased awareness and eradication of archaic beliefs that continue to harm vulnerable members of society. Stakeholders are urging for swift and thorough investigations to bring those responsible to justice.
The killings underline the urgent need for public education campaigns aimed at dismantling dangerous cultural practices and protecting children’s rights across communities in Kenya.
