Mukuru family seeks justice for 6-year-old amid DNA, postmortem delays

A family in Mukuru Kwa Njenga is calling for justice of their six year old daughter Jedidah Mwende who went missing on 11th July last month and later the family finding the body burnt along railways GM near Masai road.

According to the family the childs postmortem was conducted several weeks ago but they have not been given the results questioning the intent of delayed results.

“On that day she left at around 8:30 pm and did not return. When she didn’t come back I called her father around 10:30 pm, but did not answer my phone. I borrowed neighbours phone and called him again. I asked is Mwende at your place? He asked me who is Mwende? So I hanged up,” said Kemunto.

The following morning, Kemunto and a neighbor confronted the father at his home. Although he insisted he had not seen the child for days.

"Inside the house, the slippers that Mwende was wearing on her feet were right there,” said the mother.

When Kemunto sought police assistance on Sunday morning at Villa Police Post, she says officers refused to log an Occurrence Book entry, dismissing her concerns entirely.

"When I got to Villa and reported, they asked why I let a young girl go to her father's place at night? Then they told me they don't handle cases like that, so I left."

The turn of events began when the father said the child is not his while the mother positively identified her.

The mother is questioning the conduct of the husband who they allegedly suspect of sabotaging their search for justice because despite him having registered the body at the mortuary himself he told the police that the body was not theirs.

"The officer questioned why the father was denying that the body was the child's, despite having signed the mortuary forms himself. They informed us that because the father was denying the child was his while I affirmed it, a DNA test and post mortem would be required."

Subsequent forensic samples were gathered at Kenyatta National Hospital, where Kemunto was directed to await results within nine days.

However, weeks later according to the family the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers continue to stall the family with repeated postponements.

"Since that date passed, whenever I call the DCI for the results, they keep postponing and taking me in circles from Friday to Monday, then Monday to Friday. I haven't received justice for my child, the body is still at the mortuary, the bill is accumulating and I am left in anguish without answers."