Village in shock after body of missing man is found in raging river

The body of the middle aged man, which the police have identified as Geoffrey Omaiko, was found with his hands tied tightly with a rope, a pointer that he may have been murdered before his body was dumped in the river.

According to the family, Omaiko who went missing from his home on Monday, May 23, 2022.

Speaking about the incident, Kisii County Police Commander Mr Francis Kooli raised concern over rising cases of murder in the county.

According to Kooli, over 126 suspicious deaths have been reported in the county in the last 12 months; all spread out across the many sub-counties.

The officer said that most of the deaths have been linked to family conflicts linked to land disputes.

Nyamache Sub County is leading in the death list with 18 cases, Kenyenya 17 deaths, Kitutu Central and Masaba South, 15 each, Kisii South 13, Sameta 11, Kisii Central 10, Etago 7 while Marani and Gucha each reported 5 cases.

Some 72 deaths are subject of ongoing court cases, while 44 are on the investigations table – with the police actively pursuing 10 suspects in relation to alleged murder cases – the commander confirmed.

The commander noted that population pressure, and the corresponding shrinking land resource was fueling some of the killings, but stressed that perpetrators will face the full force of the law.

He also warned chiefs and clan elders against attempting to settle murder, rape and defilement cases at home, stressing that those found will be treated as accomplices in the murders.