Tragedy in Busia: Mother Accused of Fatally Beating 14-Year-Old Daughter on Christmas Day

Tragedy in Busia: Mother Accused of Fatally Beating 14-Year-Old Daughter on Christmas Day

Police in Busia County have launched investigations into the murder of a 14-year-old girl who was beaten to death by her mother for coming home drunk on Christmas Day.

Vashti Hainyi, from Limara Village in Angorom Ward, Teso South, and a former student at Rangala Girls' School, died while being rushed to the hospital.

According to her father, Emanuel Barasa, he had separated from his wife 10 years ago.

He expressed concern over the inconsistent accounts surrounding his daughter’s death.

“I am not satisfied with the stories I’m being told about what happened. I want to know the truth. My daughter did not deserve to die this way. I want justice for her,” Barasa said.

Barasa is calling for a thorough investigation to uncover the truth and ensure justice is served for Vashti.

"As a parent, I know it’s difficult to raise teenagers, but violence should never be the answer. My daughter was not a criminal; she was just a young girl trying to figure out her way," he said.

He also raised serious concerns about the condition of his daughter’s body. He said, "My daughter had fractures on her head, face, hands, and legs, and it looked as though she had been pushed against a wall. It was a painful sight. I’m in shock.”

Barasa also expressed his frustration at being denied access to his daughter after the separation.

"Despite everything, I always gave her freedom and wanted to be there for her. But after we separated, I was denied access to my child. It’s a painful reality,” he said.

The father stated that according to police reports, Vashti returned home drunk on Christmas Day, which led her mother to discipline her.

“Police reports show that the mother was disciplining a child who had misbehaved, and in the process, the child died. To me, these are contradicting stories because when I viewed the body, it had fractures, which suggests she may have suffered excessive bleeding,” said Barasa.

The uncles, Anthony Wafula and Daniel Barasa, also insist that the mother’s account of the incident has been inconsistent, further fueling suspicions.

“Vashti was a bright girl with a future ahead of her. This is not what we expected, and we want to understand what really happened that day. We are all shocked, and we are all hoping for answers,” they said.

Additionally, they noted that they were initially informed that the deceased had been bitten by a snake.

“We were told at first that the deceased had been bitten by a snake, only to be informed later that she was dead,” Wafula added.

Wafula also stated that the mother had been arrested earlier but released on cash bail.

“We must ensure that this case is fully investigated and that the rights of children in this region are protected so that it can serve as an example. No child should live in fear of such violence,” he said.

OCPD Francis Gashoki alleged that the report indicates the mother is responsible for the murder of her daughter following the beating.

“The report we have so far indicates that the mother is behind the tragic death of her daughter following a severe beating. Investigations are ongoing, and we are working to establish the full facts,” he said.