A weekend of death and violence: Police probe killings, mysterious deaths and grisly discoveries

Police across several counties are investigating a string of deaths, suspected killings and disturbing discoveries reported over the weekend, including the deaths of two prison and police officers, the murder of a woman in Homa Bay, a mysterious death in Nyamira and the discovery of a severed human leg in Kisii.

In Juja, Kiambu County, detectives are investigating the death of a senior Kenya Prisons Service officer whose body was found inside his vehicle at an open field behind Spur Mall.

Senior Superintendent of Prisons Eric Kiarie Wainaina, 40, who was attached to the Kenya Prisons Service Central Region Headquarters in Nyeri, was found unresponsive on Sunday morning.

Police said members of the public reported the discovery by telephone at about 10.30am. Officers who rushed to the scene found Wainaina seated inside a silver Nissan Wingroad and leaning backwards against the open driver’s door.

Senior police and prisons officers, led by the Kiambu County Prisons Commander, visited the scene as Crime Scene Investigation officers from Juja processed and documented the area.

His identity was established using his Certificate of Appointment, driving licence and passport, which were found inside the vehicle.

Police also recovered his mobile phone, three empty 250ml bottles of spirit, an empty water bottle and tablets associated with hypertension treatment. A bag containing clothes and shoes, believed to be his personal effects, was also found in the vehicle.

Bystanders told investigators that Wainaina was a regular visitor to the spot where he was found.

The circumstances surrounding his death had not been established by the time of the report. His body was moved to the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital mortuary pending an autopsy.

In Meru, a 38-year-old police officer died shortly after reportedly falling ill at his home.

Police Constable Abdi Tache, attached to Meru Police Station, reportedly arrived at his home in Kawario Flats, Meru town, at about 8pm on Saturday, September 5, after which he asked for food.

Police said the officer was reportedly intoxicated at the time. Shortly afterwards, he began vomiting before becoming silent while resting on his bed.

He was rushed to Doctors Plaza Hospital in Meru for treatment but was pronounced dead on arrival. His body was transferred to Meru Funeral Home pending a postmortem examination expected to establish the cause of his sudden death.

In Homa Bay, detectives launched a murder investigation after the body of a 33-year-old woman was found beside a road in Kasimba village, Rachuonyo South Sub-County.

The woman, identified only as Winnie, had reportedly left home at about 4pm on Saturday and was heading to the Andingo area, where she operated an eatery.

Her body was discovered by a passerby in Kasimba Sub-Location, Kokech Location, about 200 metres from her home. The discovery was reported to police by Kasimba Chief Pius Ayugi at about 1am on Sunday.

Officers who visited the scene found the woman’s body lying beside the road with a cut wound on the right side of her head.

Police processed the scene as detectives began efforts to establish what happened and identify those responsible. The motive for the killing remains unknown.

Winnie’s body was taken to Rachuonyo County Hospital mortuary pending a postmortem examination.

In Nyamira North, police are investigating two separate deaths reported within the same area.

At Gekonge village, the body of 45-year-old Jackline Biage Kinanga was found beside a road leading to her home on Saturday morning.

Police said the discovery was reported at about 8.50am by a woman identified as Mrs Tabitha Nyauma, prompting officers from Magwagwa Police Station to visit the scene.

Preliminary investigations indicated that Kinanga had been involved in prolonged domestic disputes with her husband and had reportedly been away from home for three days.

Police said there were no visible physical injuries on her body. It was moved to Ibaara Morgue pending a postmortem examination to establish the cause of death.

Elsewhere in Ereru village, Nyamira North, police were called after 37-year-old Geoffrey Keroro was found unconscious outside his home early Saturday morning.

The incident was reported by the assistant chief of Boisanga 1 Sub-location, Albert Nyangwechi.

Officers who arrived at the scene found Keroro in a critical condition and rushed him to Ibaara Mission Hospital. He was, however, pronounced dead upon arrival.

Police said no visible injuries were detected on his body, with investigations continuing to establish what caused his death.

Meanwhile, detectives in Kisii are investigating a disturbing discovery after what appeared to be a human right leg was found inside a box in Shirikisho Estate, Kitutu Central Sub-County.

The discovery was reported on Saturday, September 5, in Kiamwasia Sub-Location.

Police officers who visited the scene found a box containing a wrapped object covered in a bandage and nylon paper. Upon opening the package, investigators discovered what appeared to be a human leg severed below the knee.

Crime Scene Investigation officers documented the remains before they were transferred to the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary.

Police said the body part was being preserved pending identification as detectives worked to establish where it came from and the circumstances under which the limb was severed.

Investigators are also expected to establish whether the remains are linked to a missing-person or murder case reported in the area.

In Migori, a funeral procession turned violent in Awendo, leaving a 25-year-old man dead and a house torched after rowdy youth reportedly clashed.

Felix Owino was allegedly assaulted with a panga on Saturday evening as mourners escorted the body of Hesborn Oketch Owuor, alias “Pai”, to his rural home ahead of his burial on Sunday, September 6.

Oketch had been murdered on August 10, 2026, and his remains were being taken home for burial preparations when the confrontation erupted.

Police said a fight broke out among rowdy youth during the procession. Owino was allegedly attacked during the confrontation and sustained serious injuries before later succumbing.

Officers who visited the scene found his body with visible injuries to the face.

The incidents have left investigators across the affected counties working to establish the circumstances behind deaths whose causes remain unclear, while detectives in Homa Bay, Kisii and Migori pursue suspected criminal cases.

Postmortem examinations on several of the deceased are expected to provide crucial evidence on the causes and circumstances of the deaths, while investigations continue into the suspected murder and violence cases.