An 8-year-old girl who went missing in Kenya was found dead the following day, having been raped and brutally assaulted. Bernadette Keziah Matuki, a pupil at Little Angels in Kilifi, disappeared from the Mwenzagombe area of Bofa. Family and friends searched for her throughout the day and night. Tragically, her naked body was discovered dumped on a road the next morning. According to reports, she had been defiled, her hands broken, and she was injured and bleeding.
A family member recounted the search: "We tried asking around from her school friends. She was supposed to be home by night. But in the morning we decided to go to school. We did not find her." They later resumed the search, only to encounter a crowd gathered along the road. "We decided to go back and search for her. While on the road, we found so many people standing by. People were looking at me, pointing at me. Upon approaching, we found her body there. She has been rained on all night," the relative added.
Her body has been taken to Kilifi Hospital for a postmortem examination. The family is now demanding justice. On May 4, Governor Mung'aro condemned the killing, describing it as "a heinous, barbaric act that defies the very fabric of a civilised society." He issued an immediate directive to security agencies to pursue the perpetrators relentlessly, stating, "Leave no stone unturned. Every lead must be exhausted to ensure those responsible face the full force of the law. Justice must not only be done, but it must also be swift and decisive."
The governor also called on residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity, warning that silence and indifference only embolden criminals. "To the men of Kilifi County, it is time to rise as protectors, not predators. Our true strength is measured by how fiercely we safeguard the dignity and future of our daughters. We must confront and reject every form of violence within our ranks," he added.
He termed the incident a stark reminder of the persistent threat of gender-based violence, reiterating the county's zero-tolerance stance and urging religious leaders, elders, and stakeholders to unite in addressing the vice. "To the grieving family and the people of Kwa Nzai, we stand with you, and we mourn with you. We will not rest until justice is served. May her innocent soul rest in eternal peace."
