Police in Homa Bay County have arrested a 38-year-old man accused of killing his seven-year-old daughter by forcing her to drink a litre of petrol.
The suspect, who had been on the run since Monday evening, allegedly committed the crime at his home in Minyere village, South Kanyikela Sub-location, Ndhiwa Sub-County. He later surrendered at Homa Bay Police Station, leading to his arrest.
The victim, identified as Grachines Lovely Odingo, was a Grade Two pupil at Minyere Primary School. Her decomposing body was discovered in their house on Tuesday morning, with a bottle of petrol nearby, indicating she had been poisoned.
Initially, Odingo was buried after the tragic incident, but authorities later ordered her body to be exhumed and transferred to Manyatta Kobodo Mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
Investigators suspect domestic disputes may have played a role in the crime. The suspect and his estranged wife had separated three months earlier, with him retaining custody of their children.
Tensions reportedly escalated after he learned she had filed a case with the children’s department.
Homa Bay County Commissioner Moses Lilan confirmed the incident, vowing to investigate all murder cases reported in the county over the past week.
He assured the public that justice would be served, expressing concern over the rising cases of violence. Since Saturday, eight people have been killed in separate incidents across the county, many involving knife attacks.
Lilan urged residents to resolve disputes through legal channels, including courts and local administration structures such as chiefs, assistant chiefs, and village elders.
