This archive report was first published on 11 December 2019.
On December 11, 2019, a 23-year-old man in Siaya County was arrested in connection with the killing of his 15-year-old cousin, Margaret Auma.
The victim, a Form Two student at Sirembe Secondary School, had been in a relationship with the suspect, who had insisted that she was his lover despite her parents declaring their relationship unacceptable.
On the day of the incident, the suspect lured Margaret to a bush next to her home in Sinderma village, where he fatally stabbed her several times with a kitchen knife.
After the killing, the suspect fled the scene, leaving behind a note next to the girl's body, professing his undying love for her.
The note read in part, "I was madly in love with you but I had to do this. Till we meet again. I will join you soon."
The suspect had also said in the note that he had killed the girl because he could not let another man marry her.
According to Gem Deputy County Commissioner Geoffrey Mayama, the suspect had earlier been arrested and charged with defiling the teen, but was freed on bond.
The girl's family had been trying to end the relationship given that the two were relatives, but the suspect was adamant.
