A shocking incident has left residents of Manaja village in Masinga, Machakos County, in disbelief after the decomposed body of a 60-year-old man was discovered in a shallow grave within his compound.
The man, identified by relatives, had been missing since August 7. Family members, concerned about his whereabouts, launched a search around his home where he lived alone. During the search, they noticed a freshly dug section of land emitting a foul smell. On closer inspection, they discovered a shallow grave in an area where he used to make bricks for commercial purposes. Authorities were called to the scene, and upon exhumation, confirmed the decomposing remains.
Disturbingly, the man’s right hand had been eaten by dogs, believed to have dug into the grave. The body was moved to the mortuary for autopsy as investigations into the motive and possible suspects continue. Police have not yet determined what led to the killing.
In a separate incident in Kobarak, Nandi County, a 57-year-old man was found dead near a stream about 600 metres from his home. His body bore signs of violence, including a fractured left leg and bruises to the head, pointing to a possible homicide. Authorities have begun investigations, but no suspects or motive have been identified. The body was taken to the local mortuary for further examination.
These two cases are part of a growing trend of violent crime in the country. Statistics indicate that murder cases have been on the rise, prompting security agencies to enhance their operations. A dedicated homicide unit has been established, with plans to devolve its functions to county levels to improve response and investigation.
Investigations into many of these killings point to causes such as robbery, personal disputes, and land-related conflicts. Some cases remain unresolved, while others are tied up in lengthy court processes. Authorities continue to urge communities to report suspicious activities and assist in providing information that could help in solving these crimes.
The back-to-back discoveries in Machakos and Nandi serve as grim reminders of the urgent need for strengthened security measures, quicker investigative responses, and community vigilance to curb the rising murder cases in Kenya.
