The gang-related killing of a 7-year-old boy in Matungu sub-county in Kakamega has sent shock waves through his community, as friends and family mourned the loss of a “sweet kid” who had big dreams.
Malik Moi, a Grade One pupil at Bulimbo Star Academy, was stabbed to death two times, in the stomach and in the neck, killing him instantly on Sunday evening behind their house at Simba Wanyika village.
Police have intensified operation to live up to interior cabinet secretary’s promise of leaving “no stone unturned” in the investigation into the slaying of the young boy.
It is alleged that the parents had gone to the mosque for Magharib prayers when the attackers killed the boy and went away leaving the knife at the scene.
The medical examiner said he died of a stab wound to the neck and ruled his death a homicide.
Police believe the killing was related to the ongoing crackdown to weed out the knife-wielding gang that has so far claimed dozens of lives in the area in the last month.
Malik’s death has quickly caught the attention of Kenyans who have called it “among the most brutal crimes” they’ve ever seen. Investigators have vowed to root out every person involved and hold them accountable.
According to area OCPD John MatsiliIt, the gangs are an organised group, “the way they execute their crime is the same, you find that they cut all their victims behind the neck.”
“These gangsters always come to the villages at around 2am and start hacking their victims,” added Allan Juma, a resident in Matungu.
Detectives said the politicians were being investigated on allegations of incitement and mobilising youths linked to the gangs.
The first suspect, Kelson Liyenga alias Kevin Lienga, was arrested by the DCI in Kawangware, Nairobi on Wednesday, and transferred to Mbale for interrogation.
The DCI said Mr Gubimiru and Mr Liyenga, 20, are believed to be the ring leaders of gangs carrying out organised crimes in the Western region.
THREE more wanted suspects were today arrested in Vihiga following a Forensic based analysis operation by #DCI Detectives from the HQs. The three suspects; Samuel Mulimi Mbuhere, Wycliffe Achala Kinandi & Duncan Karana are directly linked to the violent crimes in Western Region. pic.twitter.com/CaAkLyHGwx
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) May 19, 2019
Forensic analysis, the directorate said, confirmed that Mr Gubimiru was linked to the crimes.
The DCI cited two cases in 2017, when the suspect was directly connected to a series of violent robberies in Chavakali and Sabatia, in which victims’ legs were cut off with pangas.
The DCI shared photos of some of the victims whose legs were cut off in attacks on June 4, 2017.
Mr Gubimiru was allegedly involved in another violent robbery in Sabatia on November 1, 2017, when a man was seriously injured and his wife gang-raped and one of her legs chopped off.
The accused was arrested, taken to court but later granted bond and released.