Two Kinjo police constables held over alleged defilement of toddler in Meru

Constables Nicholas Njagi and James Mutabari of Kinjo Police Patrol Base are in custody at Kariene after a child identified them in an identification parade; detectives have recovered forensic evidence and plan to present the suspects at Githongo Law Courts.

Two police constables attached to Kinjo Police Patrol Base in Meru County have been arrested following allegations that they defiled a three-and-a-half-year-old girl inside a police residential housing unit.

Police Constable Nicholas Njagi and Police Constable James Mutabari were placed in custody at Kariene Police Station on 11 October 2026. The arrests followed a report by the child’s mother, a resident of Kinjo Market, who noticed her daughter in severe distress after the girl had been playing outside on the evening of 9 October 2026.

According to police investigation reports cited by Citizen Digital, the child described how a man she called “Baba” carried her on his shoulders into a house. Once inside, she was allegedly assaulted with an object she described as a large needle or syringe (“sindano kubwa”). Two other children, aged seven and twelve, whom the mother had sent to look for the missing girl, reportedly found her inside the house occupied by Constable Njagi and supported the account.

A medical examination at Nairobi Women’s Hospital in Meru resulted in a P3 form documenting physical trauma, lacerations, swelling and fluid consistent with defilement. Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Imenti Central Sub-County processed the scene and recovered two bedsheets as potential forensic exhibits.

During a formal identification parade at Kariene Police Station, the minor positively identified both officers, addressing each as “Baba.” The two officers are scheduled to appear before the Githongo Law Courts, where prosecutors are expected to seek custodial orders while detectives complete their investigations and prepare the case file.

The allegations concern a serious offence under the Sexual Offences Act. The suspects remain in lawful custody and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Police have stated that the probe will be thorough.

This case has particular weight because the alleged offence occurred in police housing and involves serving officers. Public confidence in the National Police Service depends on swift, transparent handling of such complaints. Meru residents and the wider public will be watching for the formal charges, the strength of the medical and forensic evidence, and any further steps by investigators or oversight bodies.

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