Police are investigating an incident where a grade 2 pupil aged 7 years was allegedly defiled and killed before her body was dumped in river Gakungu in Kirinyaga County.

Her mother, Alice Karuana Muriithi, said the grade 2 pupil at St Philips Primary School Baricho went missing on Thursday before she was discovered tied with banana fibers in river Gakungu on Friday.

Further, she revealed that her daughter had gone to the shopping center with her cousin before she went missing.

Confirming the incident, Kirinyaga West sub-county police commander Moses Koskei said police have launched investigations as residents say the suspect is known.

“I promise you the suspect will be arrested after investigations,” Koskei said.

Relatives led by the girl’s grandmother, Faith Wambui, are demanding justice.

“The suspect lured the girl to his house before defiling her then dumped her in river Gakungu. We suspect he stayed with her in his house on Thursday before killing her on Friday afternoon. We are demanding justice,” Wambui said.

The incident has shocked Baricho and nearby schools.

The body of the girl is lying at Kerugoya Mortuary, waiting for postmortem.