The County Government of Tharaka Nithi has raised serious concerns over the growing number of children being abandoned and found dead in unclear circumstances.
Authorities fear a possible criminal network may be behind these disturbing incidents, possibly using the county as a dumping ground or operating from within it.
In the past two months alone, six children have been found dead in various parts of the county, raising fears that a child trafficking or murder syndicate could be at work.
The horrific trend has left residents and county officials deeply disturbed and seeking answers.
Speaking on the matter, the County Gender and Children’s Chief Officer, Kelly Rwigi, expressed deep worry over the situation.
She said that the county is in a state of shock and confusion as investigations have yet to uncover whether the deaths are the work of a cult or a group of criminals involved in trafficking or killing children.
“This month and last month, we have recorded more than six cases of children found dead. What remains unclear is whether these deaths are linked to cult activities or if it’s just heartless individuals trying to get rid of children,” Rwigi said.
She also revealed that only one child has been found alive so far, while the rest were already deceased by the time they were discovered.
She appealed to national investigative bodies to urgently intervene and assist in identifying the people behind these acts. Rwigi also pointed out that most of the victims were boys, which raises even more concern and suspicion about the motive behind the crimes.
“This is no longer a normal case of neglect or abandonment. We are deeply worried because these incidents seem to be targeting a specific gender—the boy child,” she added.
The County Government is warning that this shocking pattern could destabilize the region’s sense of safety and break down the trust and harmony within communities.
Rwigi emphasized that the government cannot fight this alone and that members of the public must come forward with any information that could help security agencies track down the culprits.
She encouraged residents to be vigilant and share any suspicious behavior or movements involving children with the authorities. Community cooperation, she said, is critical in exposing and dismantling what could be a dangerous and organized group.
The county government also sent out a strong message to individuals involved in illegally transporting children into the area. It warned that anyone caught endangering children’s lives would face severe legal consequences.
A toll-free helpline—1513—has been provided for the public to report any suspicious activities or incidents involving children in the area. The hope is that this platform will encourage whistleblowers to speak up and prevent more lives from being lost.
All the children—both the dead and the one survivor—were reportedly abandoned near Bonanza Children’s Home in Chuka, raising questions as to whether this specific location is being deliberately chosen by those behind the crimes.
The repeated use of the same dumping site has fueled fears that the home might be a target or unwitting landmark in this sinister operation.
This tragic situation has brought back memories of a controversial case in February 2019, when officials from Nakuru County were accused of abandoning 41 street children in Chemusus Forest, Eldama Ravine, Baringo County.
The children, aged between 12 and 26, were reportedly promised they would be taken to school. However, they were instead rounded up, placed in vehicles, and later left in a forest in a shocking act of neglect.
As Tharaka Nithi County deals with its current crisis, the government and the public are being urged to remain alert and work together to stop this deeply troubling pattern of child deaths and disappearances.
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