WKT on Monday visited the home of the 16-year-old girl at the center of allegations against Lumakanda OCS Wycliffe Kwendo, where her parents recounted the events of a night they say left their family shaken and desperate for answers.
The visit followed a check at Kipkaren Rural Comprehensive School that confirmed the girl did not attend school on Monday as investigations into the incident continue.
The WKT team also found officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) combing the home as they sought to establish the circumstances surrounding the allegations.
Meanwhile, the officer remains in custody after being arraigned in court on Monday.
OCS allegedly called family
Speaking exclusively to WKT, the girl’s parents in Kambi Moto Village described the events leading up to and following the alleged incident, providing details of their interaction with the police officer that night. According to the girl’s mother, Linet Minayo, she received a phone call from the Lumakanda OCS, who allegedly asked whether the family had eaten.
She said she told the officer that they had not eaten, after which he allegedly instructed them to prepare food quickly, saying police officers were about to begin an operation. The mother said her daughter prepared the food and the family ate.
Later, at around 11:15 p.m., she said the OCS allegedly called again and instructed the family to leave their home and proceed to Chunguli Junction, where he allegedly told them he would meet them with his vehicle. According to the mother, the officer drove them to a nearby bar identified as White House and left them there.
The family, however, could not clearly explain how or why their daughter was left behind. They said they understood that only adults were required to leave, citing fears that they could be harassed during the operation.
Family returns home
The mother said she later insisted that the family return home despite having been warned that a police operation was ongoing. Upon arriving home, she said she asked her daughter whether police officers had visited the house. According to the mother, the girl told her that they had only passed by.
She later allegedly discovered that the OCS was inside the house with her daughter.
Mother describes confrontation
The mother said she initially remained outside for about 10 minutes before the girl’s father entered the house. Shortly afterwards, she said she heard her husband ask, “Mkubwa, unaweza kunifanyia hivi?”
Alarmed, the mother said she entered the house and allegedly found the OCS standing in the corridor, holding sandals and wearing shorts with the zip open. She further alleged that her husband, Sammy Wanjala, confronted the officer, who allegedly asked the family to sit down and resolve the matter.
Two condoms allegedly found
According to the mother, the officer apologized before she noticed two condoms on a table, one of which she described as used and another unused. She said she picked them up and put them in her pocket, but the officer allegedly demanded that she hand them over.
The mother alleged that when she refused, the officer showed her a firearm and took the condoms before placing them in his pocket. She said the officer denied having done anything to the girl.
Family alleges KSh20,000 offer
The family further alleges that the officer offered them KSh20,000 to remain silent about the matter. The mother also said the officer left behind a sweater.
The girl’s father-in-law was subsequently informed and reportedly arrived at the home accompanied by about 10 other people. The family said the KSh20,000 was later handed over to the DCI.
School confirms girl’s absence
Meanwhile, Kipkaren Rural Comprehensive School confirmed that it had not received a report concerning the alleged incident involving the Grade Eight student.
The school also confirmed that the girl did not report to school on Monday.
IPOA and DCI investigate
IPOA and DCI officers were at the scene as investigations continued. The girl was also present at the scene but remained in the company of the investigating officers. Journalists were not allowed to speak to her.
WKT visited the scene and observed a large bed covered with bedsheets and a blanket, as well as a table where the family said the condoms had allegedly been found.
A section of the room that the family described as a hiding area was also visible.
Journalists from Royal Media Services and Standard Media Group were also present at the scene.
Officer arraigned in court
The police officer, currently held at Kakamega Police Station, was arraigned in court on Monday in connection with the matter.
The girl’s father has called on the police and other investigative agencies to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation. The allegations against the officer remain subject to investigation and determination through the legal process.
