A suspect linked to the murder of 11-year-old Glorious Kaiza Maore has been arrested in Kisauni, bringing some progress to a case that began with a missing child report. The arrest follows weeks of investigation after the young girl disappeared on March 15, 2026, when she failed to return home from Sunday school practice.
At the time, her family and the community launched a search, hoping she would be found safe. However, the situation took a tragic turn days later in the Manyani area when children playing nearby came across a sack with what appeared to be a human hand sticking out. They alerted adults, who then informed the police. Officers arrived at the scene and confirmed that the sack contained the body of the missing girl. The body had been tied with a rope, suggesting an attempt to hide the crime.
A postmortem examination conducted at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital revealed that the child had been defiled before being strangled. The findings added to the shock and grief felt by the family and the wider community, as details of the crime emerged.
Detectives from Kisauni Sub-County began investigations immediately, working to trace the person responsible. Their inquiries led them to a man identified as Anthony Juma, also known as Kipara, who became the main suspect in the case.
By the time officers moved to arrest him, he had already fled. At a house believed to have been used by the suspect, investigators recovered partially burnt clothes and bedding, which they believe were an attempt to destroy evidence.
Police then launched a manhunt to track him down. After several weeks, the suspect was arrested on April 12, 2026. His arrest marked a key step in the case, giving investigators a chance to piece together more details and prepare for prosecution.
The suspect was presented before the Shanzu Law Courts, where detectives requested more time to complete their investigations. On April 13, 2026, the court granted a 21-day custodial order to allow for forensic analysis and collection of further evidence.
Authorities say the suspect is a Tanzanian national who has been working locally as a garbage collector and does not have formal identification documents. He remains in custody as investigations continue, and the case is scheduled for mention on May 4, 2026.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has thanked members of the public for their support and information during the investigation. Officials have assured the family and the public that efforts are ongoing to ensure justice is served for the young girl.
