Family seeks justice after university student found dead in Siaya forest

Grief, outrage and a family’s desperate cry for justice now surround the death of a 20-year-old student from Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology whose body was discovered dumped in a forest in Siaya County.

The lifeless body of Alice Riang’a, a second-year Bachelor of Education student at JOOUST, was found abandoned deep inside Bar Kowino Forest last Saturday, days after she went missing.

According to her family, Alice was last seen on Wednesday before concern grew over her disappearance.

Her father, Richard Riang’a, said Alice’s roommate contacted the family after failing to trace her on campus.

Samuel Riang’a, Alice’s brother, said the family immediately became worried after receiving the call.

“The last moment I had a conversation with her was on Wednesday. Since that day she went missing, actually, I got a phone call from her roommate and some friends, so I was concerned, so I had to call my dad so that we can seek further clarification on what was going on,” he said.

The family then advised the roommate to file a missing person report at Bondo Police Station.

“Akanielezea kwamba Sabina ameenda missing from Thursday na wamejaribu kumtafuta hawajampata ndio nikamuadvice aende police station abook OB then anitumie hiyo OB hapa Nairobi,” said Richard Riang’a.

On Saturday, women collecting firewood in Bar Kowino Forest stumbled upon a body hidden in the bushes. Police officers later moved the remains to the Bondo Sub-County Hospital mortuary.

The family says the condition of the body made identification difficult.

“Mimi kama mzazi ya kwanza nikionyeshwa huyu mtoto singeweza kumtambua vizuri sababu kulingana vile alikuwa kwa uso alikuwa ameharibika, nikaomba time kidogo nijaribu kumuangalia kwa miguu na vidole ndio nimtambue, nikaitisha nguo zake ndio tukatambua ni yeye,” the father added.

Family members, fellow students and human rights defenders are now calling on investigators to speed up the probe and ensure justice is served.

“We are sending a message to all investigative agencies that they expedite the process of this investigation so that the truth can be known to everyone,” said Joel Odidi, a student leader at JOOUST.

Bondo OCPD Benjamin Murkomen confirmed that one suspect had been arrested in connection with the murder.

“A suspect in this connection was arrested and the suspect name is a Tanzanian national named Maxmillian John Madin and is now in custody assisting in investigations,” said Murkomen.

Meanwhile, in a separate but related development, a suspect linked to the murder of Constance Githinji will remain in custody for seven more days to allow detectives to complete investigations, including DNA analysis.