Nyeri: Calls for the immediate disbandment of the Witemere and Majengo slums' community policing, known as Nyumba Kumi, dominated the funeral service of seven-year-old Tamara Blessing Kabura. She was defiled and murdered in Nyeri County last week.
According to Kenya News Agency, traders from the Nyeri open-air market and mourners who paid tribute to the Grade One pupil accused Nyumba Kumi elders in the informal settlement area of abetting crime and blocking the National Government Administrative Officers from performing their duties. There are calls for authorities to investigate elders and community leaders over alleged massive corruption, which they said has led to the deterioration of security in the slum area.
Mourners are also demanding a thorough excavation and search in the slums, where Tamara's body was discovered, to determine if more victims could be buried underneath the houses. Gatitu-Muruguru ward Member of County Assembly Wangeci Njithi urged for an immediate investigation of the community elders of Majengo and Witemere slums, questioning if these leaders receive bribes to abet crimes and how many crimes, especially against children, have gone unreported.
Jacqueline Kagu, a mental health advocate and friend of the family, stated that the defilement and murder of Tamara is a reflection of the societal issues in Witemere. She demanded a thorough search in Witemere to uncover if more children are buried underneath the houses.
Tamara's body was discovered on May 26, after the prime suspect, Nicholas Macharia, led police to his house where her body was buried under his bed, leading to protests in Nyeri town. Preliminary postmortem findings confirmed that the seven-year-old was defiled.
During her funeral in Village Seven in Solio, Laikipia County, Tamara's father, Kevin Nyaga, eulogized his daughter as a good role model and cheerful child. He expressed that her death is a significant loss for the family and vowed to continue pursuing justice.
The ceremony saw attendance from Nyeri Deputy Governor Warui Kinaniri, Nyeri Central Deputy County Commissioner Ngunyi Maina, Nyeri County Chief Officer in charge of Trade Joseph Mwangi, and other elected leaders. They assured the family and Nyeri residents that justice would be served. Ann Anyango from the National Gender and Equality Commission announced that the Commission will pursue the case in court on a pro bono basis to ensure justice for Tamara.
DCC Maina expressed the government's dissatisfaction with the violation of children and women's rights and reassured the commitment to addressing the problem. He warned men against using children to vent frustrations and cautioned that those found culpable would face legal consequences.
Maina urged residents to build a good relationship with security agents to facilitate information sharing and aid in the arrest of crime suspects. He emphasized the importance of community cooperation in preventing such tragedies, encouraging residents to volunteer information to authorities.