A post-mortem examination conducted on Tuesday, May 12, has confirmed that Alice Riang’a, a 20-year-old student at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), died from blunt force trauma to the head.
The findings suggest a violent struggle preceded her death, ending a search that began when women collecting firewood discovered her body on Saturday, May 9, in the Barkowino Forest thicket near Bondo Township.
The autopsy results further reveal that the second-year Bachelor of Education Science student suffered a physical assault before she died. While police noted the absence of undergarments at the scene, investigators have not yet confirmed if the student fell victim to sexual violence. Detectives currently believe the killer murdered Riang’a in a different location before dumping her remains in the forest, as the discovery site showed no signs of a struggle.
The disappearance of Alice Riang’a first sparked alarm on Wednesday, the last day her family heard from her. Concern escalated quickly when Alice’s roommate contacted her father, Richard Riang’a, to report that the student was nowhere to be found on the university campus.
Alice’s brother, Samuel Riang’a, recalled the growing dread that gripped the family following that initial phone call. He noted that after their last conversation on Wednesday, the sudden silence from her end prompted him to alert his father so they could investigate the situation together.
“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.
In response to the roommate’s report, the family requested that she immediately file a formal missing person report at the Bondo Police Station. Richard Riang’a instructed her to document the disappearance officially and share the details with him to coordinate the search from Nairobi.
“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.
The tragic discovery occurred on Saturday when women foraging for firewood in the Bar Kowino Forest happened upon a body concealed within the dense brush. Following the discovery, police officers transported the remains to the Bondo Sub-County Hospital mortuary.
The severity of the injuries made the initial identification process an agonizing ordeal for the family. Richard Riang’a described the physical toll the attack took on his daughter, explaining that he had to rely on specific physical features and her clothing to confirm her identity.
“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.
In the wake of the killing, a unified front of family members, students, and human rights defenders has demanded a swift and thorough investigation. Joel Odidi, a student leader at JOOUST, voiced the collective urgency for transparency and accountability.
“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.
Authorities have already made progress in the case, as Bondo OCPD Benjamin Murkomen confirmed that police have a suspect in custody.
“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.
The post “I Couldn’t Recognise My Own Daughter” – Father’s Heartbreak as Autopsy Confirms Alice Riang’a Was Beaten to Death appeared first on Bossnana.
