Mystery Surrounds Deaths of Two Young Girls Found in Kisii Banana Plantation

By Mishel Akinyi

Residents of Kisii South Sub-county are in shock following the tragic deaths of two young girls whose bodies were discovered under unclear circumstances in a banana plantation in Nyangoge Sub-location.

The victims, identified as four-year-old Annah Bahati and five-year-old Stacy Nyanchama, were last seen playing together at around 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, in Nkura 3 Village. When they failed to return home, family members and residents launched a search. At around 10 p.m., the children’s bodies were found in a banana plantation near Marble Hospital, bringing the search to a heartbreaking end.

Preliminary reports have raised concerns that the girls may have been defiled, poisoned, and killed. Investigators also recovered a bottle suspected to contain poison near the scene. However, police have urged the public to avoid speculation, saying the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths will only be established after investigations are complete.

Officers from Suneka Police Station, accompanied by Kisii South Deputy County Commissioner Grace Ouma, visited the scene and launched investigations. Authorities said a post-mortem examination will determine the cause of death.

The bodies have since been moved to Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital Mortuary, where an autopsy is expected to provide crucial evidence to assist investigators.

Police have appealed to anyone with information that could help identify those responsible to report to the nearest police station, assuring residents that all leads will be thoroughly investigated.

The incident has sparked grief and outrage across the country, with many Kenyans calling for swift justice and stronger measures to protect children from violence, noting that similar incidents have been reported in the past.

Peter Moturi urged investigators not to dismiss the case as an accident, saying a thorough investigation was necessary to establish the truth.

Blacks Miles Ke also expressed sorrow over the deaths, saying, “While justice may take time, those responsible will eventually face the consequences of their actions.”

As investigations continue, the deaths of Annah Bahati and Stacy Nyanchama have renewed concerns over child safety in Kenya and the urgent need to strengthen measures that protect vulnerable children from violence.

The tragedy has also left many parents questioning whether it is still safe for children to play outdoors without fear of such devastating incidents.