Police in Makueni County launched investigations after the burnt body of an unidentified middle-aged man was discovered along a rough road near Lukenya Farm in Nzaui Subcounty. The body was found on October 9, 2026, by a resident of Kijiji Village. Preliminary investigations indicated that the man had been subjected to tyre necklacing before his body was set on fire during the night of October 8–9 by unknown assailants.
The body was burnt beyond recognition, with investigators suspecting that petrol had been used to set it ablaze. Police visited the scene and documented evidence, recovering a bottle containing suspected petrol, charred remains, a box containing blood samples, and pieces of burnt tyre debris. The remains were later moved to Kilome Mortuary, where they are being preserved pending formal identification and a postmortem examination.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the suspected murder and the motive behind the killing, as efforts continue to identify the deceased and apprehend those responsible. The incident is one of several reported in the region, with police also investigating the death of an unidentified man whose body was found lying on a footpath in Ngomano Village, Tharaka Nithi county.
The body in Tharaka Nithi county, believed to be that of a man aged about 50, was discovered in Kamaguna Sub-location on October 9, 2026. According to a police report, Maragwa Location Chief William Kwenga alerted Gatunga Police Station about the incident by phone at around 1.40pm. The man had no visible physical injuries, and police said no identification documents were found on him.
In a separate incident, a man suspected of stealing livestock was killed by members of the public in Kisii South Subcounty after being intercepted in a vehicle believed to have been linked to the theft of a cow. The incident occurred on Saturday, October 10, 2026, in the Kerina Police Station area after residents began tracking a cow reportedly stolen from the area.
Members of the public tracking the stolen cow intercepted a white Toyota Probox, on suspicion that it had arrived to transport the stolen animal. A chief reportedly attempted to escort the vehicle's driver and the suspect to Kerina Police Station; however, he was overpowered by the crowd, which assaulted the suspect, killing him before setting the vehicle on fire.
The body of the suspected livestock thief was found with visible injuries to his neck, while a sisal rope was found tied around his waist. The incident highlights the dangers of mob justice, with authorities expected to pursue those involved in the killing and the burning of the vehicle.
Key points
- The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the suspected murder in Makueni County.
- A separate incident of a man killed by members of the public in Kisii South Subcounty is also under investigation.
- Authorities are expected to pursue those involved in the killing and the burning of the vehicle in Kisii South Subcounty.
