Police in Machakos County have launched investigations into the death of a middle-aged man whose body was discovered in a forested area in Koma, Matungulu Constituency, under circumstances suspected to be murder.
The body was found on Sunday, attracting scores of residents who gathered at the scene as police officers commenced investigations.
According to Community Policing Coordinator Chris Musembi, the deceased’s body bore visible injuries, suggesting he may have been assaulted before his death.
“The body showed signs of physical assault. We are working closely with police officers to establish the circumstances surrounding the death and identify those responsible,” said Mr Musembi.
Officers from Koma and Malaa police stations responded to the incident and secured the scene before moving the body to a mortuary pending identification and a post-mortem examination.
The incident has heightened concerns over insecurity in the region and comes barely a week after seven bodies were discovered dumped at Tuaa River in Mwingi Town, Kitui County, in a chilling incident that sparked public outrage and renewed calls for enhanced security measures.
Residents in both Machakos and Kitui counties have increasingly raised concerns over cases of violent crime, mysterious killings and the disposal of bodies in public places, urging security agencies to intensify investigations and bring perpetrators to justice.
Local leaders and residents in Matungulu called on authorities to move swiftly in solving the latest case, warning that failure to address such incidents could undermine public confidence in the country’s security apparatus.
Police have appealed to members of the public with information that could assist investigations to report to the nearest police station.
The latest discovery adds to growing anxiety among residents across parts of the Lower Eastern region, where a series of violent incidents in recent weeks have prompted calls for a more coordinated security response from national and county authorities.
