19-Year-Old in Custody for Killing Teen Girlfriend Who Declined Abortion

A 19-year-old high school student has been taken into custody in Navakholo Constituency in connection with the murder of a 16-year-old Form Two student who was allegedly pregnant with his child.

The incident, which occurred after the victim refused to terminate a month-old pregnancy, has ignited outrage and grief within the local community.
According to Navakholo OCPD Christopher Kirui, police investigations indicate that the two teenagers were in a known romantic relationship. After the girl informed her family of the pregnancy, they confronted the boy's parents.

The suspect then allegedly pressured the victim to undergo an abortion to avoid disrupting their education, a request that she refused. This rejection is believed to have precipitated the events leading to her death. The victim's sister reportedly witnessed the suspect visiting their home in the early hours of the morning, after which the two left together. The girl's body, bearing severe head injuries, was discovered later that day near her residence.

A full inquiry is underway, and authorities are preparing to charge the suspect in court. Detectives note that the suspect attended school as usual after the alleged crime. He even requested water from the kitchen, claiming he needed it to take medication. Despite the absence of visible bloodstains, authorities are examining his actions and all potential evidence for any indication of his involvement.

In response to the murder, an angry mob attacked the suspect's family home, setting nine houses ablaze and destroying property, including crops. Local leaders have condemned the violence, urging the community to allow the legal process to proceed. Robert Wesamba, the victim's grandfather, says the family learned of the pregnancy after the girl fell ill and was taken to a hospital.

He alleges that the suspect resorted to violence after repeated attempts to persuade his granddaughter to terminate the pregnancy failed. Namirama Sub-Location Assistant Chief Steve Nawande criticizes both families for neglecting their responsibilities, noting that community members had previously expressed concerns about the teenagers' relationship. He states that the suspect had been spending nights at the victim's home, despite warnings from local authorities.