The government has linked the recent defilement, murder, and controversial burial of a seven-year-old girl in Nyeri County to the rising consumption of drugs, particularly bhang, among the residents.

On Wednesday, Nyeri County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi told journalists that drug abuse has become a rampant problem in the region, contributing to an increase in violent and inhumane acts.

“We must ask ourselves why such inhuman acts are occurring,” Mr Mwiwawi said. 

“Drug consumption, especially bhang, is on the rise in our society.”

He called on residents to support the fight against drug abuse by collaborating with security agencies and reporting drug dealers operating in their communities.

“As a society, we must unite to eradicate this vice. Residents should work with our security agencies by alerting them about individuals selling drugs to our people,” he added.

His remarks come in the wake of a horrifying incident in which a suspect, Nicholas Macharia, allegedly lured seven-year-old Tamara Blessing to his rented house in the Witemere informal settlement on Saturday. He is accused of defiling and murdering her before burying her body beneath his bed.

Acting on a tip-off, residents stormed the suspect’s house, exhumed the child’s body, and carried it to the police station.

There, they clashed with officers while attempting to lynch the suspect, who had already been taken into custody.

Tamara’s body was later transferred to the Nyeri County Referral Hospital mortuary.

Police sources identified the suspect as a porter working at Nyeri town’s open-air market.

Tamara had gone missing at around 6pm on Saturday while playing at the market, where her mother, Ms Susan Wanjiru, and grandmother, Ms Jane Kabura, work as traders.

CCTV footage from nearby buildings showed the suspect walking with the girl towards the Witemere area.

The footage, provided by local business owners to the police, played a crucial role in the investigation.

Read: Outrage in Nyeri as residents demand justice for murdered girl

Commissioner Mwiwawi said while the suspect is in custody and will face the full force of the law, parents must take greater responsibility for their children’s safety.

“We should not wholly entrust our children to other people, even those we think we know well. Sadly, that trust has eroded in our society,” he warned.

He also expressed concern about the rising cases of femicide and called for collective efforts to end the trend.

“The government has introduced many programs aimed at economically empowering our youth. They should not turn to drugs under the excuse of joblessness,” Mr Mwiwawi said.

“There are funds available to help young people start income-generating activities. We urge them to visit our offices to learn about these initiatives,” he added.