Schoolboy found dead near river, with signs of sexual assault

14-year-old boy sodomised near River Nyangau, killed

Body of 14-year-old boy who was found dead on Wednesday July 27, 2022 evening near River Nyangau. It was moved to Kitale County Referral Hospital mortuary. 

Photo credit: Gerald Bwisa | Nation Media Group

The body of a 14-year-old boy who appeared to have been sexually assaulted was found on Wednesday in Bondeni in Tuwan location, Trans Nzoia County.

The boy was found lying half-naked with bruises on his back. Blood was also oozing from his nostrils, mouth and anus.

Area Chief Evans Wamalwa said the boy’s body was found lying near River Nyangau by other children who had gone there to swim at around 4pm. 

New pupil

It was alleged that the boy, who had just joined Kaloleni Primary School, was sexually abused before being killed. 

"I received a report from members of the public that there was a body of a young boy found lying near the river. Children who had gone to the river spotted the body and notified members of the public," Mr Wamalwa told Nation.Africa.

"It is shocking that someone can decide to take away the life of an innocent small boy like this. This is a criminal act and we cannot describe it in any other words.”

Similar incident

A local also claimed a similar incident happened two months ago. She said a bhang-smoking gang operates near the river.

"I am pleading with parents not to send children to fetch water at the river because of the terror gang," she told Nation.Africa

Residents also said parents whose children were engaging in criminal activities were protecting them from prosecution.

Dreaded Bogi Mawe gang

Police are looking for the killers in the latest incident.

Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Samson Ojwang said action would be taken against the perpetrators of the heinous act.

This week, he announced the start of an operation to rid Kitale and its environs of the dreaded Bogi Mawe gang.

“Security agencies will from now henceforth begin a sting operation to root out the criminal gang Bogi Mawe harassing residents in the slum dwellings and their environs," he said.

He also warned parents of youths involved in criminal acts that action would be taken against them if found to be shielding the criminals.

Tuwani, Matisi, Kipsongo and Kisumu Ndogo are some of the areas hit hard by mugging, robberies and rapes perpetrated the criminal gang.

The body of the boy was taken to Kitale County mortuary.