Police have arrested a 17-year-old person of interest in the brutal murder of a 3-year-old baby in Nakuru.
The tragic incident unfolded near PCEA Shalom Mchanganyiko Church in Menengai, Nakuru County.
According to police reports released on Monday, June 23, 2025, the incident came to light after officers received a distressing call about a young child found unconscious approximately 50 meters from the church.
Despite rapid response and efforts to save her life, the toddler was pronounced dead upon arrival at Kenlands Hospital.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect reportedly lured little Margaret away from the church, leading her to a secluded place, where she strangled her using a piece of cloth. The motive, however, is yet to be established,” reads the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) statement.
Acting swiftly on intelligence gathered during the initial phase of the investigation, police launched a targeted operation that led to the suspect’s arrest at her residence in Judea Village, located within the Menengai Sub-Location of Kiamaina Ward.
Upon her arrest, DCI says crucial evidence was recovered, including the clothes the person of interest is said to have worn at the time of the crime, as captured on CCTV footage, and the piece of cloth believed to have been used to strangle the child.
“Officers recovered the clothes worn by the suspect during the commission of the offence as well as the murder weapon. This evidence will form a key part of the prosecution’s case,” the DCI confirmed.
The girl is currently in custody, where she is undergoing processing. Authorities have confirmed that she will be arraigned in court as investigations continue to determine the motive behind the killing.
Church plea and probe
The family of the deceased is said to be devastated by the tragic loss and is demanding justice. Community leaders and clergy from the PCEA Shalom Mchanganyiko Church have since called for calm, justice, and greater protection for children.
“This is a tragedy beyond comprehension,” said one church elder. “A child left to play during church service ends up murdered — it’s something that shakes the entire community to the core.”
As the legal process begins, child protection advocates are urging authorities to assess the mental health of the suspect and examine broader social issues that may have contributed to the crime.
Meanwhile, police are appealing to the public to remain patient and allow the law to take its course, promising that justice will be pursued with the full weight of the law.
Investigations remain ongoing.
