Police in Migori have launched a manhunt for a farmhand who went into hiding after allegedly murdering a 13-year-old boy for stealing sugarcane.
The deceased, Abraham Owiti, was a pupil at Lworo Primary School.
It is reported that the deceased who was in the company of two other students was on his way home from school when they decided to go into the sugarcane plantation to quench their thirst.
Owiti was allegedly killed by Daniel Omogi, a farm attendant at the home of Francis Andere, a resident of Aenyo village, Uriri Sub-County.
The deceased’s uncle, Samson Osea, said the body of the pupil was discovered on Friday morning, a day after he had gone missing.
“He was coming from school at around noon with his two colleagues on Thursday. He was beheaded and the body was found on Friday morning near a sugarcane plantation," said Osea.
According to the uncle, the boy's friends managed to escape after he was nabbed by the farmhand.
“We don't understand why the farmhand had denied the alleged arrest and detention of the child during the time the child had been reported missing," added Osea.
Confirming the incident, area chief Joshua Ogelo said the farmhand left his employer's home on Thursday evening and his whereabouts remain unknown.
Migori County Police Commander Joseph Nthenge said the suspect’s employer is helping them with investigations, adding that a manhunt has been launched for the farmhand.
The body of the deceased has been taken to Migori Referral Hospital morgue.