Police IG Breaks Silence on Spike in Murder Cases Countrywide

The Inspector General of Police (IG) Douglas Kanja has addressed the spike in murder cases recorded in the country over the last two months and throughout this year.

In a statement on Thursday, October 24, IG Kanja assured the public of the police’s commitment to investigating what he described as “an increase in acts of crime to their logical conclusion” and bringing the perpetrators to justice.

Kanja highlighted that there has been a slight increase in murder cases reported from August to October for the years 2022 to 2024.

According to the National Police Service, a total of 339 murder cases have been recorded so far in 2024, compared to 336 cases in 2023 and 341 in 2022 respectively.

“The attention of the National Police Service is drawn to the disturbing patterns of murder cases reported to the police in the past two months. A comparative analysis of murder cases reported from August to October for the years 2022 to 2024 indicates a slight increase,” read part of the statement.”

Consequently, the NPS boss listed six recent murder cases that have drawn public attention and issued an update on the progress of ongoing investigations.

Police issue update on six murder cases

Wells Fargo manager

Willis Onyango Aiyeko, a Wells Fargo employee, was confirmed dead after his partially discomposed body was found near Mungowere stream in Khwisero Sub-County, having been initially reported missing at Siaya Police Station on October 21, 2024.

IG Kanja said that Ayieko’s family will transport the body to Nairobi to October 24 from Siaya Teaching and Referral Hospital Mortuary, under police escort, pending autopsy process.

He further said the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Homicide Unit is progressing on with the investigation into the case.

Mother and two daughters from Eastleigh

In the murder of a family of three namely, Dahabo Daud Said, Amina Abdirashid Dahir, and Nusayba Abdi Mohammed, NPS said that their bodies were discovered on October 22 with stab wounds, at around 6am at different locations.

This is after they went missing the previous night from their house in Eastleigh Estate, Nairobi.

The bodies of Nusayba, Amina and Dahabo were found at Bahati in Makadara, 6th Avenue Parklands and Khyumbi, in Machakos respectively, with the hands of Dahabo chopped off.

On October 23, two human hands were recovered at South C along Five- Star Road.

According to police, the bodies are preserved at the City Mortuary (Nairobi Funeral Home) awaiting autopsy scheduled for October 25.

Kirinyaga MCA’s daughter

At the same time, IG Kanja provided an update on the murder of Seth Nyakio Njeri, a daughter to Nominated Member of County Assembly (MCA) from Kirinyaga Lucy Njeri.

The body of the 23-year-old was discovered in her friend’s house on October 14 at Blessing Building in Biafra Estate, Thika Township.

On October 17, a post-mortem was conducted by the Government Pathologist, Dr. Mathaiya in the presence of the family pathologist, family lawyer and family members.

Kanja said that the autopsy report attributed the death to Asphyxia due to manual strangulation and smothering.

“The matter is under investigation by the Homicide Investigations,” the statement reads.

Wajir MCA

A body suspected to be that of the MCA Yusuf Hussein, Member for Dela Ward, Wajir County who went missing on September 13 in Makadara Nairobi, was found floating at Lake Yahud in Wajir East Sub County on October 20, 2024.

Autopsy conducted on October 21, 2024, by the Government Pathologist Dr. Johansen Oduor in the presence of the family doctor, Dr Daniel Zuriel and local Members of Parliament, at Wajir County Referral Hospital Morgue, has established the cause of death to be head injury due to blunt trauma.

However, based on DNA samples from the body and the mother of the MCA, Kanja said that the post-mortem analysis by KEMRI and Government Chemist have not matched and concluded that the body is not for the said MCA.

Also Read: New Twist in Wajir MCA’s Death as DNA Test Turns Negative

IG Kanja said that the DCI in Wajir will consequently open an inquest for the body while the Makadara DCI will continue with the investigations for the MCA’s case.

Advocate killed in Kajiado 

In Kajiado, police provide an update on James Nyaata Onchiri, the deceased 62-year-old advocate.

Police said that he was seen on October 21 at about 6.00pm, together with his office messenger Erick Ondiek at the Kajiado Public Works Canteen in a Mitsubishi pick-up before his body was discovered on October 22 morning.

CCTV footage retrieved by the investigators for forensic analysis has shown Erick Ondiek dragging the deceased from the bar towards the vehicle, before he reverses and runs over the deceased, then flees the scene leaving the car behind.

The postmortem analysis conducted on October 23 at the Kajiado County Hospital by Dr. Dorothy Njeru attributed the cause of death to be chest injuries due to blunt force trauma.

Police said that they arrested five suspects including the bar owner and the attendants to assist with investigations.

The suspects appeared before court for custodial orders and the investigation team granted five days till October 28.

Mombasa taxi driver

Lastly, NPS provided an update on the brutal murder of Victoria Mumbua, who until her demise was workin as a taxi driver in Mombasa.

Mumbua was driving her Nissan Serena motor vehicle model before she was reported missing on September 28 at Makupa Police Station, with her last call having been made at Samburu Town, Kwale County.

Also Read: 5 Questions Raised Over Death of Mombasa Taxi Driver who Went Missing

Police in Nakuru on September 29 arrested a suspect in possession of the victim’s vehicle and he confessed to have murdered and dumped her body along Mai Mahiu-Naivasha Highway.

Her body, which was recovered on September 28 by officers from Lari Police Station and booked at the Nairobi City mortuary for preservation, was positively identified by her family.

The main suspect was linked to two other cases of robbery with violence in which two taxi drivers were lured before they were robbed off their motor vehicles.

IG Kanja said that detectives recovered the two motor vehicles fitted with fake number plates.

Kenya’s police chief has called on members of the public to partner with the police by reporting any criminal activities or suspects to the DCI homicide unit or nearest police station.

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