A multi-agency team is investigating the death of Corporal Kelvin Thuku, a Kenya Defence Forces soldier found dead with a slit throat at the Karare Forward Operation Base in Marsabit county. The incident was reported on September 27, 2026, after fellow military personnel raised the alarm. Thuku had failed to answer several phone calls from his colleague, who subsequently went to check on him.
The colleague found Thuku lying in a pool of blood with a deep wound to his throat. Police and the Military Police visited the scene alongside the operation base’s medical officer, who pronounced Thuku dead. The scene was processed and documented, and a blood-stained military knife suspected to have been used to inflict the fatal injury was recovered.
Thuku’s body was moved to Marsabit County Referral Hospital Mortuary, where it was preserved pending a postmortem examination. The police and military authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the officer’s death to establish what happened and determine whether the incident was suicide or involved another person.
According to officials, Thuku had not exhibited any form of stress, and colleagues urged a thorough probe. The incident has raised concerns, and the investigation aims to shed light on the circumstances surrounding Thuku's death. Authorities have not yet established whether the incident was a murder or suicide.
The multi-agency team investigating the incident comprises police, military personnel, and other relevant authorities. They are working together to gather evidence and interview witnesses to piece together the events leading to Thuku's death. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are yet to make any arrests.
The Kenya Defence Forces has not made an official statement on the incident, but sources close to the matter indicate that the military is cooperating fully with the investigating agencies. The incident has sparked concerns within the military community, and many are calling for a thorough and transparent investigation.
The postmortem examination will be crucial in determining the cause of death and whether there were any signs of foul play. Authorities are also reviewing Thuku's phone records and other communication logs to establish whether there were any suspicious interactions before his death. The investigation is expected to be completed soon, and a report will be released to the public.
Key points
- Authorities are investigating the death of Corporal Kelvin Thuku, a KDF soldier found dead with a slit throat at a Marsabit operation base.
- The incident is being treated as a potential murder or suicide, with police and military authorities working together to gather evidence.
- A postmortem examination will be conducted to determine the cause of death and establish whether there were any signs of foul play.
