Fear has gripped residents of Tyaa in Mwingi Central Constituency after police exhumed four bodies from shallow graves in a chilling discovery that has raised concerns over a possible body-dumping site in the area.
The operation was launched following the discovery of a dismembered body on Monday, prompting detectives and local administrators to conduct a wider search in the locality.
During the operation, police recovered four bodies buried in separate graves. Among the victims were a man and a woman whose remains were found within the same area.
Mwingi Sub-County Police Commander Maina confirmed the recovery, saying investigations had been intensified to establish the identities of the deceased and the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
“The bodies were buried in separate graves. We are conducting investigations to determine who the victims are and how they ended up there,” said Mr Maina.
The bodies were exhumed and transferred to the Mwingi Level IV Hospital Mortuary awaiting identification and post-mortem examinations.
The discoveries have sparked anxiety among local residents, many of whom believe the victims may have been killed elsewhere before being dumped and secretly buried in Tyaa.
“We suspect these people were murdered in other places and their bodies brought here. It is becoming a worrying trend because bodies keep being discovered in this area,” said a resident.
Kitui Woman Representative Irene Kasalu expressed concern over the discoveries, saying leaders and residents were alarmed by the growing number of bodies being found in the area.
“It is disturbing that bodies are being discovered and dumped in this manner. We are calling on security agencies to move swiftly and establish those responsible for these killings,” she said.
Police have appealed to members of the public with missing relatives to report to Mwingi Police Station to assist in the identification process.
“We urge anyone with a missing family member to come forward and report to Mwingi Police Station. This may help us identify the victims and aid investigations,” police said.
The grim discovery comes barely a month after two mutilated bodies were recovered in the area, deepening fears among residents that Tyaa could be emerging as a dumping ground for victims of violent crimes.
Detectives have since launched investigations as security agencies seek to unravel the mystery behind the deaths and the repeated discovery of bodies in the area.
