Authorities are investigating three separate murder incidents reported in different parts of the country, highlighting growing concerns over rising murder cases in Kenya.
In Kiambu County, a 53-year-old man, Patrick Njoroge Waweru, was found dead in Wangige Market under mysterious circumstances. His body, bearing visible bruises on the back, chest, and both hands, was discovered at the local shopping centre. Family members said he had left home on August 10 to run errands but never returned. His wife learned of his death when a neighbour spotted the body and called her. The motive for the killing remains unknown, and police have moved the body to the mortuary for an autopsy as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, in Kiwara, Kieni, Nyeri County, a case of mob justice turned deadly. A man accused of assaulting a vendor was reportedly attacked by an irate crowd. Witnesses say the confrontation began after an altercation in which the vendor sustained injuries. In retaliation, a mob armed with stones and clubs descended on the alleged assailant, killing him at the scene. Police have launched a manhunt for those involved in the killing, which they have classified as murder.
In another incident in Kilungu, Makueni County, the body of 78-year-old Raphael Kimonyi was found in a ditch along the Nunguni-Kilome road. Preliminary findings indicate that he had left home around 11 a.m. on August 10 but failed to return. His lifeless body was discovered the next day in Kithembe location, Kauti sub-location. The cause of death is yet to be determined pending a post-mortem examination.
According to police records, up to eight murder cases are reported daily across the country, a figure that has alarmed both security agencies and the public. While some cases are linked to land disputes or robberies gone wrong, others remain shrouded in mystery.
In response, a special homicide unit within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations has been tasked with focusing exclusively on murder cases, with plans to expand operations to the counties. Authorities hope the move will speed up investigations, bring suspects to justice, and curb the worrying trend.
The recent incidents serve as a grim reminder of the growing threat of violent crime in Kenya and the urgent need for both preventive measures and swift justice for victims.
