Police investigate incident of woman stoned to death inside church
Over the weekend, a mentally challenged man stoned a woman praying inside a church to death.
In a police report filed at Isebania in Kuria West, Migori County Mr Fred Mutatiro, 25, stoned Ms Pamela Akumu, aged 68 years, to death inside Maranatha Church in Isebania, Migori County.
“Ms Akumu was attending evening prayers at the church in company of one Samuel Muruga a made adult when the suspect who is mentally ill was brought to the church for prayers by his mother namely Mary Francis Chacha,” the report read in part.
It further revealed that Mr Mutatiro went out and returned into the church while carrying bricks.
He then went ahead and started stoning Ms Akumu and Mr Muruga continuously. The latter managed to escape but the former was not able to rise and due to the fatal injuries.
Officers and detectives attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) rushed to the scene only to find the body lying outside the church with severe head injuries.
Also read: Buru Buru drama: City woman fights boyfriend, sets house on fire
Two bricks were then recovered from the scene and kept as exhibits.
“The suspect was arrested and placed in custody. Necessary action was taken and the body was taken to St. Akidivah Mindira Mabera Hospital Morgue awaiting postmortem examination,” the report read in part, adding that the case is currently pending in court.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in every four people in Kenya who seek medical attention has a mental health condition.
This translates to 11.5 million Kenyans suffering from mental illnesses. Furthermore, according to the WHO, depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, affecting over 350 million people — more than any other disease.
Despite the worrying prevalence of mental health conditions, affected individuals and families continue to face the stigma associated with mental illness. This escalates isolation and the feeling of hopelessness, causing many people to deny or hide their condition from others.
Also read: Double tragedy: Woman and son found dead inside rented house in Kabete