A Rongo Magistrate Court has granted permission for the exhumation of a General Service Unit (GSU) officer who was buried under suspicious circumstances within the compound of St. Joseph’s Missions of Messiah in Africa church in Migori County.
The late officer, Police Constable Adan Ayoo, reportedly died on 27th March 2025 under unclear circumstances. The following day, 28th March 2025, he was buried in the church compound without the knowledge or consent of his parents or his employer, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding his death and burial.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) applied for the body to be exhumed as part of investigations into the cause of death. The court agreed, noting that the matter required thorough scrutiny.
Four church directors Michael Kus Onyango, Luka Ochieng, Everline Gemamo, and Lilian Atieno Olal have been released on bond as investigations into the alleged murder of Ayoo continue. Authorities suspect the burial may have been conducted in secrecy to conceal vital information.
In a related application filed by the family of the deceased, the court ordered Ayoo’s wife to point out the exact burial spot within the church compound. This will enable the County Public Health Officer to carry out the exhumation process.
Security during the operation will be provided by officers from Kamagambo Police Station. The court also directed that once the remains are exhumed, they should be reburied at the family’s homestead in Kochieng, Nyando Sub-County, Kisumu County. The decision aligns with Luo customary law, which dictates that a person must be buried in their ancestral home.
The court’s ruling underscores the legal and cultural sensitivities involved in burial disputes, particularly when foul play is suspected. Investigators are expected to examine the remains for any signs of criminal activity that may explain the officer’s sudden death.
The matter is set for mention on 26th August 2025, where the court will receive updates on the progress of the exhumation and subsequent investigations. The outcome of the forensic examination will play a key role in determining whether criminal charges will follow in connection to the death and burial of Police Constable Adan Ayoo.
