Mombasa Raha, My Foot

Downtown Malindi.

20 September, 2022

04:43

Neighbours had already crowded outside Ruth’s house.

A police Land Cruiser parked at the scene as several officers cleared the neighbours and early-bird onlookers from crowding around the lifeless body.

Inspector Raju approached Ruth’s front door and rang the bell twice.

Ruth sat up, contemplating whether she was dreaming. “Who in the hell wants to see me this early?” She grumbled as she forced herself out of bed, rubbing her eyes as she navigated her way down the hall.

“Shit!” Ruth grabbed her big toe and hobbled to the door.

As a journalist, she was always prepared for the usual Kenyan with a report which wouldn’t be accepted as an S2 story despite the saturation level. But as she peeped through the window, the commotion outside told her something more serious than the occasional burglaries had taken place.

The moment Ruth opened the door, her sleepy nature immediately faded. Her eyes stared wide and her trademark concern wrinkle above her eyes showed as the Kenyan-Indian police inspector, looked squarely in her face.

“Miss Ruth Adhiambo-Khan?” asked the Inspector, without wasting a moment.

“Yes…?”

“My name is Inspector Raju Omar Singh,” said the Inspector, showing her his ID. “I assist the DCI in investigating homicides, murders, and cases relating to such. Are you the sister of Miss Catherine Adhiambo-Khan?”

Ruth discreetly pinched the back of her left thigh, realizing with concern she was not dreaming.

“Yes,” Ruth replied, peering at the commotion behind the Inspector. “What happened to her? What’s all this?”

“I’m afraid I have dreadful news, Ruth,” continued Inspector Raju. “Your sister, Catherine Adhiambo-Khan, was found murdered a few metres outside your doorstep by the neighbours.”

“No…This can’t be…Where is she?”

“The police are currently loading the body onto the Land Cruiser,” said Inspector Raju. “I’m sorry, but I need you to confirm she is your sister.”

With every limp she took beside Inspector Raju, Ruth felt as unprepared as when nightmares strike, for what the two police officers revealed when they opened the body bag.

“No…” Ruth gasped.

Her first reaction was all Inspector Raju needed.

Ruth’s knees crumbled beneath her as she looked at the lifeless body, letting tears flowing freely down her cheeks as she began sobbing. She looked at the body for one last time and felt bile rising from within.

I have to know who did this, thought Ruth as she stumbled back to her porch and sat, the memories of Catherine coming back to her in echoes which initiated tears more bitter than acceptance of guilt.

Inspector Raju sat beside her in silence.

“I can’t believe this, Inspector,” Ruth blurted. “Why do this to her…?”

Inspector Raju contemplated her question before he answered, “I’m sorry about your sister’s murder, Ruth. However, there have been rising cases of young girls being murdered like this. Several victims are boys, too.”

“What?”

“This is a pattern, Ruth,” said Inspector Raju. “What the victims have in common is participation in activities with human traffickers along the Coast.”

“Are you telling me…?”

“Yes, Ruth,” continued Inspector Raju. “There have been rising cases of human trafficking, murder, organ trafficking, and sex tourism from Mombasa, Malindi, Ukunda, Lamu, and Nairobi. A few places are less popular, like the Bangladesh slum in Changamwe, but are still involved.”

“I want to be a part of this investigation, Inspector,” said Ruth, looking squarely at him. “I want to know who killed my sister, and why.”

Inspector Raju heard the resolve in Ruth’s voice and understood the power behind the tone of purpose.

“It is my understanding you work as an investigative journalist, Ruth?”

“Yes,” said Ruth.

“Would you happen to know of any activities Catherine loved participating in?”

“No…she ran away from home many years ago,” replied Ruth. “Almost a decade has passed since we talked.”

“She stayed missing for quite a long time. What was she running from?”

“She wanted to go abroad.”

“Would you know what activities made her want to go abroad?”

“Runway modelling,” said Ruth, as the memories came back to her. “Since childhood she had dreams involving a career in art and culture, fame and talent.”

“Ruth,” Inspector Raju touched Ruth’s arm, “Catherine is now a victim in this, and other families are seeking justice, too. If we find out what led to your sister’s death, we get to find out the whole ring behind all this human trafficking,” said Inspector Raju.

He stood and dusting his trouser before handing Ruth a business card. “These are my official contacts. Do what you can to get your team ready. Call me when you do.”