Detectives are investigating a chilling murder in the Kathekakai area of Machakos County following a suspected break-in that left a 23-year-old worker and two dogs dead. The victim, Emanuel Wafula, was discovered lying in a pool of blood at the gate of the compound where he worked as a guard.
The incident occurred on the night of Sunday, August 3, in what authorities are describing as a well-coordinated attack. According to preliminary police findings, the attackers not only killed the guard and the dogs but also broke into the house, stole valuables, and vandalised the CCTV system in an apparent effort to destroy evidence.
Earlier that evening, Wafula had contacted his employer to report that two of the compound’s dogs appeared to have been poisoned by unknown individuals. He requested that a veterinary officer be sent to the scene urgently. However, Wafula was unaware that the assailants were still on the premises.
While inspecting the compound to determine what had happened to the dogs, Wafula was ambushed and fatally attacked. Attempts by his employer to reach him by phone later in the night were unsuccessful. Alarmed by the silence, the employer contacted neighbours and relatives, urging them to check on Wafula as he made his way from Machakos town.
Upon arrival, he found Wafula’s lifeless body at the gate. Despite rushing him to hospital, he was pronounced dead on arrival. The two dogs were also confirmed dead, and investigators suspect they were poisoned prior to the attack to neutralise security.
Police have confirmed that the assailants vandalised the CCTV system and made away with the digital video recorder (DVR), likely to erase any captured evidence.
Wafula’s body has been moved to the mortuary for a postmortem. A veterinary pathologist is also expected to examine the dogs to confirm if they were indeed poisoned.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but authorities have launched a manhunt for the suspects. The incident adds to a growing wave of violent crimes across the country, with police noting that up to eight murder cases are being reported daily. Investigations are ongoing.
