Crime WatchNational News
Gatundu assistant chief accused of sodomising boys dies by suicide
The assistant chief is said to have perpetrated the heinous crimes on April 20 within Kamunyu village
Shock gripped residents of Gatundu South, Kiambu County, following news that an assistant chief who was on the run over accusations of sexuality assaulting two young men died by suicide.
The body of Kamuiru Ndumba of Kamunyu sub-location was found hanging from a lesso in one of the rooms of his residence after he went missing over allegations that he was involved in sodomy and abuse of power, with alleged male victims as young as 17 years old.
The assistant chief is said to have perpetrated the heinous crimes on April 20 within Kamunyu village where he was born, raised and which he represents in the area local administration.
He had reportedly fled the village after he heard that irate villagers were hunting him down to lynch him.
His body was taken to the Kenyatta University Funeral Home as investigations into the matter continue.
One of the victims, who spoke to journalists at their home, had said that he had delivered milk to the administrator’s home in the company of his two other friends.
They found the chief asleep but he was woken up by his wife. He then led them to a house within his homestead where he offered them liquor.
Two of his friends left to a nearby homestead where they have been nursing a colleague who recently underwent circumcision while he was left imbibing the brew.
He then got intoxicated and the next thing he realized he was at his house covered with mud and dirt.
He divulged that he realized that all was not well while responding to a call of nature. Instead of passing stool, blood was oozing. He frenzied and alerted his grandmother whom he lives with.
The victim was rushed to hospital where he was examined and ascertained to have been sexually assaulted and placed on medication. They later reported the matter at Gatundu police station and recorded under OB NO 04/24/04/25.
On the fateful night, the administrator, in his quest to quench his immoral thirst, pursued two other boys in the neighboring homestead.
He then trailed the second victim to his home where he demanded to know whether he was already circumcised. The boy agreed to the administrator’s demands and pulled down his trousers.
The visibly shaken boy told journalists that the assistant chief started fondling his private parts and demanded that he lie on the bed on his belly. He declined and instead pushed the administrator aside and vanished into darkness.
“He knocked on my door and I opened it because he is a senior person in the village. He demanded to ascertain that I have undergone the rite of passage,
“I unzipped my trousers and showed him. He then demanded that I pull my trousers down further and lie on my stomach. I declined and told him I can’t do such an evil deed. I pushed him and escaped,” the young man said.
The second victim, who was lucky to escape, has also recorded statements with the police.
Parents in the village among them Mary Wambui and Jane Njoki termed the incidents as heinous and devilish. They say they were shocked because have known the assailant as a good man who at one time joined the Seminary as he sought to become a priest.
Wambui noted that Kamuiru made countless attempts to bribe the victims’ families, but they declined.
Gatundu South Assistant County Commissioner Rose Chege while confirming the incident said that the administrator has already gone into hiding, but detectives are hot on his heels in a bid to smoke him out of his hideout.
She added that since the victims have recorded statements with police, the area security committee has already held a meeting with Kamunyu villagers over the matter.
“We have all records and even medical examination records of the victims. What’s remaining is bringing the suspect in custody. He has gone into hiding and his mobile phone is off. We are, however, looking for him in all ways,” Ms Chege said.
She, at the same time, blamed Kamunyu village residents for failing to report such incidents in time noting that the notorious assistant chief has been perpetrating similar crimes but gets away with them after bribing the victims and their families.
“We’ve gathered information that the suspect has been perpetrating these crimes and covering them by bribing victims and their parents. The parents and the community have failed for not bringing such information to the authorities,” Chege said.
Counselling services are being arranged for the affected families, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has pledged to continue examining the full scope of the allegations to ensure justice for any victims.
