A 47-year-old man is in police custody in Nairobi after allegedly defiling and brutally assaulting his nine-year-old daughter, who later died from her injuries in Kibra.
The suspect, identified as Norman Swahili, was arrested after officers at Kibra Police Station received a distress call on September 6 reporting that he had seriously assaulted the child.
Police officers, accompanied by members of the community policing team, rushed to the scene but were informed that Swahili had already taken the critically injured girl to Mbagathi Hospital seeking medical attention.
The officers followed him to the hospital, where they received the news that the girl had been “pronounced dead on arrival”.
A preliminary examination found “multiple bruises and swellings” across the child’s body, as well as a freshly lost upper incisor tooth. Further examination indicated that the girl had also been sexually assaulted, according to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Her body was taken to Nairobi Funeral Home, where it is being preserved pending a postmortem examination.
The suspect remains in police custody as detectives process the case ahead of his arraignment.
The DCI expressed its condolences to the bereaved family and warned against violence and abuse, particularly against children.
“Such acts are a grave violation of the law and a betrayal of the trust and protection every child deserves,” the agency said.
It added that it would continue pursuing those responsible for such offences and that “stern lawful action will be taken against anyone found culpable”.
The DCI urged members of the public to report cases of child abuse and other suspicious activities anonymously through its #FichuaKwaDCI hotline on 0800 722 203 or WhatsApp number 0709 570 000.