5 sisters slain in grisly murder
2005-12-19 19:36
Kisumu - Five sisters were strangled to death in western Kenya in suspected ritual killings in which their necks were snapped and body parts hacked off, police and neighbours said on Monday.
The girls, aged between three and 13 were slain on Sunday in Mumias, about 350km west of Nairobi, an area were the practice of witchcraft and sorcery is believed to be common, they said.
The killers broke the girls' necks, twisting their heads to face the wrong direction, and chopped the noses and ears off three of them before bundling their bodies into the boot of a vehicle near their home, they said.
The mother of the sisters, Linah Mukinda, said in addition an unknown liquid had been smeared on the chest of the three-year-old and the horror of the discover had prompted her to go into early labour, delivering a boy.
'Some evidence found at scene'
Terrified neighbours said the incident resembled a ritual killing but could not say what type of practice it may have been.
"It must have been some form of ritual because why would they have twisted the children's necks and chop off body parts," said Mumias resident Pius Eshikumo.
Another neighbour, who requested anonymity, said body parts were frequently used in witchcraft ceremonies, notably in those believed to cure HIV/Aids which has ravaged that part of the East African nation.
The region's top police investigator, David Chesimet, ordered the area sealed off for investigations and said some evidence had been collected by his officers but would not speak to the motive for the killings.
"We have found some evidence at the scene," he said. "We shall carry out a comprehensive investigation to find the motive."