Family Demands Justice After 7-Year-Old Girl Defiled, Murdered and Burned

A family in Mukuru Kwa Njenga in Nairobi is demanding justice following the death of their 7-year-old daughter, Jedida Mwende, who was defiled, murdered and burned.

Jedida Mwende, a Grade 1 pupil, went missing on July 11, prompting her family and neighbours to search for her. However, their search ended in tragedy when they found her burnt body along Maasai Road in Embakasi.

For the past month, Jedida’s family and neighbours in Mukuru Kwa Njenga have held daily prayers as they mourn her and raise money for her burial.

Jedida’s mother, Hellen Kemunto, said she reported her daughter’s disappearance at Villa Police Station on July 11.

“I went and reported at the police station, and they gave me an OB number. But at the Villa police station, they didn’t give me an OB number. They told me they don’t want a case like this at that hour,” Kemunto said.

Afterward, Kemunto continued searching for Jedida around Mukuru Kwa Njenga until authorities directed her to the City Mortuary.

Family of Jedida Mwende Seeks Justice

At the mortuary, Kemunto said officers showed her a photograph of the recovered body before she viewed the remains. Despite the extensive burns, she said she recognised belongings that belonged to her daughter, including a sweater.

“When we were shown the body itself, I saw it and thought, ‘you can never forget your child,’” she said.

However, Jedida’s father, Munyau Mbituka, has questioned whether the burnt body recovered along Maasai Road belongs to their daughter. The dispute has prompted the family to rely on DNA testing to establish the identity of the remains.

Jedida was the couple’s only child together before they divorced after nine years of marriage.

Also Read: Family Demands Answers After Businessman Dies in Police Cell Hours After Arrest

Delayed DNA Results Keep Family Waiting

Following the dispute, authorities collected DNA samples to determine whether the burnt remains belonged to Jedida.

Kemunto said officers asked her to wait nine days for the results. However, when she followed up after the nine days had passed, she said the officer told her the results were not ready.

“I went, and they took DNA samples. They told me to wait for nine days. Those nine days ended on the 30th. I called to ask this officer, and he told me ‘Not yet’,” she said.

As a result, the family cannot conclusively establish the identity of the remains or proceed with Jedida’s burial.

Meanwhile, investigators continue to look into the circumstances surrounding the 7-year-old’s death as the family seeks answers about her disappearance, defilement and murder.

Also Read: Another Woman Killed by Police in Gikomba as Family Demand Justice

Residents Demand Urgent DCI Investigation

The delay has also concerned residents, who are calling on authorities to speed up the investigation and provide answers to the family.

“The relevant authorities should intervene regarding these results because it has taken too long since this incident occurred. Therefore, we are asking all DCI units to conduct investigations as quickly as possible so that this mother can get her justice,” a resident said.

For now, the family remains focused on getting the DNA results and finding out what happened to Jedida.

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Police officers seated in a police van. PHOTO/FILE.