A 16-year-old boy is in police custody after allegedly killing his mother in Kitare Village, Homa Bay County, Kenya. The incident occurred on the evening of June 6, 2024 shortly after the suspect returned home from school and had dinner with his mother, Nelis Ogutu.
According to Kayanja Sub Location Assistant Chief Moses Sirawa, the Form Four student (fourth year of secondary school education) from Nyatoto Mixed Secondary School first strangled his 39-year-old mother before attacking her with a machete. The motive behind this act remains unclear, though investigators suspect mental health issues might have played a role.
The community was alerted by the commotion at Ogutu’s home and quickly responded. Despite their swift arrival, they found Ogutu already deceased. Angered by the crime, the villagers attempted to take justice into their own hands, but the local administrators intervened and handed the suspect over to the police. The boy is now held at Mbita Police Station as investigations continue.
“This is a shocking incident for our community,” Assistant Chief Moses Sirawa said. “We suspect the boy may have been struggling with mental health issues, and this incident highlights the urgent need for mental health awareness and support in our community.”
The body of Nelis Ogutu was taken to Kirindo mortuary, where it will remain as the family arranges for her funeral. Meanwhile, the village mourns the loss of a community member and grapples with the violent nature of the incident.
These incidents have sparked discussions about domestic violence and mental health, emphasizing the need for better resources and education to prevent such tragedies in the future.
