Police probe wave of killings and looting countrywide
Police are investigating a series of suspected murders across several counties following the deaths of young men in separate incidents, as authorities in Homa Bay intensify a crackdown on suspected goons accused of looting businesses and destroying property.
Detectives investigate suspected murders of young men in four counties as Homa Bay police arrest 40 suspects over looting and property destruction
Police are investigating a series of suspected murders across several counties following the deaths of young men in separate incidents, as authorities in Homa Bay intensify a crackdown on suspected goons accused of looting businesses and destroying property.
In Matungu Subcounty, Kakamega County, detectives are investigating the murder of 17-year-old Paul Wanjala, whose body was discovered in a sugarcane plantation on October 10, 2026, with an axe lodged in the right side of his head.
Police who visited the scene found the teenager lying on his back and recovered the weapon as an exhibit. His mother told investigators that her son had taken dinner with a friend before leaving to sleep, only for her to receive news of his death the following morning.
The body was moved to St Mary’s Hospital Mumias mortuary pending a post-mortem examination. The motive for the killing remains unknown.
In Siaya County, police are investigating the suspected murder of 26-year-old James Okongi Khatika, who was allegedly beaten to death during a night vigil in Marenyo Sub-location, Gem Subcounty.
Preliminary investigations indicate that a confrontation erupted on October 9 between mourners from Kisumu and three individuals associated with the deceased after a visitor accused the group of stealing his mobile phone.
Khatika was allegedly assaulted inside the homestead before his body was dragged outside and abandoned along a murram road about 10 metres away. Police observed multiple bruises and swellings on his body and fresh bloodstains at the homestead.
Three family members were picked up to assist with investigations. The body was taken to Yala Level IV Hospital mortuary for preservation pending a post-mortem examination.
Meanwhile, in Kisumu West Subcounty, 20-year-old Willis Nyang’ayo Odhiambo was found dead in a banana plantation in Ndede Village near Ularo River on Sunday, October 11.
Police said the body had injuries on the right hand and back, suspected to have been inflicted using a wooden club recovered at the scene. Preliminary information indicated that the deceased had been seen being assaulted by people known to him earlier that morning.
One suspect was arrested as detectives from DCI Kisumu West investigated the killing. The body was moved to Masaba Mortuary pending a post-mortem examination.
In Machakos County, 26-year-old David Muia was found dead in a pool of blood along Tala-Katine Road in Ngonda Village, Matungulu Subcounty, with visible injuries around his neck.
Police recovered a wooden stick measuring about two metres long, which investigators suspect may have been used in the attack. The body was taken to Patjud Mortuary as detectives pursued the unknown assailant.
In another incident, 29-year-old shopkeeper David Ouma Ochieng was stabbed to death at his business premises in Ngiya Market, Gem Wagai Subcounty, Siaya County, at around 8pm on Sunday. The attacker allegedly stabbed him on the left side of his neck with a sharp object.
Elsewhere, a police officer and Gisage Sub-location Assistant Chief Linet Nyangau sustained burns after an explosion during documentation of a house fire in Gisage Village, Nyamira County, on Sunday. The house owner had allegedly set his semi-permanent house ablaze. The explosion injured the officer on the neck, head and hand, while Nyangau suffered burns to her face, hands and legs.
In Homa Bay, police have arrested 40 suspects following Thursday night’s protests that allegedly degenerated into looting and destruction of businesses after the arrest of Kassim Abdi and seven members of his team.
County police commander Lawrence Koilem said the suspects were arrested between Friday and Sunday, with stolen items and crude weapons recovered. They were being held at Homa Bay County Police Station pending arraignment on Monday.
Koilem said the operation would continue for a week and extend to other towns. Abdi was arrested over alleged links to violence witnessed during the Linda Mwananchi faction’s political rally in Homa Bay on August 16, 2026.
Investigations into the killings, assault and property destruction are ongoing.
