Four more suspects arrested over woman's assault at burial
Police have arrested four more suspects in the ongoing investigation into the assault of a woman during her estranged husband's burial in Nyabisimba, Nyamira County.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Jones Manyasa Mokua, 46, was apprehended in Nyamira Township Sub-location, while his three accomplices, Martin Obino, 41, Zachariah Nyariki, 39, and Robert Makori, 26 were trailed down and arrested from their hideout in Kenyenya area of Bogichora Location.
"The quartet is currently in police custody undergoing processing ahead of their court appearance. Meanwhile, detectives are widening their search to apprehend more suspects linked to this disturbing incident," said the DCI.
This comes barely a week after three other individuals were arrested over the assault.
The suspects allegedly forced the woman to participate in traditional rituals against her will, where they assaulted her, inflicting injuries on her body.
Mellen Mogaka, the woman who was assaulted in Nyamira for not adhering to burial traditions. PHOTO/Taifa Leo
The incident occurred on March 21, 2025, when the woman, who had been married to her late ex-husband for over nine years, found herself caught in a family feud.
After separating from her ex-husband and losing touch for years, she was contacted by her mother-in-law and asked to bring her children to their father’s funeral following his tragic death in a road accident.
As the grieving family gathered to bid farewell, the woman was ambushed by her in-laws who insisted she partake in the burial customs of throwing soil into the grave.
When she refused their demands, they reportedly unleashed a brutal attack, accusing her of being responsible for her husband's death.
The incident was caught in a viral video leading to a police investigation and the subsequent arrest and arraignment of the first set of suspects in court.
Appearing before Senior Resident Magistrate Beryl Achieng under a miscellaneous application, their lawyer argued that the three were not seen in the video and urged the court to direct investigators to apprehend the actual culprits.
The court ordered the suspects to be remanded at Nyamira Police Station, with the case set for mention on April 1, 2025.