Mystery deepens after man found dead in Kakamega Forest

Crime scene./FILE

Detectives in Kakamega County are investigating an incident where the body of a 57-year-old man was discovered in a forest field in Lugari Sub County.

Police said the incident was reported on March 14, 2026, at about 3:45 pm by a local resident. The deceased was identified as Solomon Wambu Nya, a resident of Ingavira Village in Cheboso Sub-location, Kakamega North Sub-county.

The motive of the murder was not immediately known. Police said the man was last seen alive at Lumakanda Market on March 13 at around 2:45 pm.

He was reportedly in the company of an unidentified male adult who was riding a motorcycle. Preliminary examination revealed that the deceased had sustained multiple head injuries, raising suspicions of foul play.

The body was moved to Webuye Funeral Home, where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Police said on Tuesday no arrest had been made in connection with the murder.

Elsewhere, detectives in Vihiga County arrested a second suspect linked to a burglary incident at a school that resulted in the death of a watchman.

Police confirmed that the arrest was made on March 14, 2026, at about 6:45 pm following an intelligence-led operation conducted by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Hamisi.

The suspect is believed to have been part of a two-man gang that carried out a burglary at Abundance Church School in Tiriki East Subcounty during the night of January 29, 2026.

According to police, the suspects rode into the school compound on a motorcycle where they attacked the watchman and another man, Derrick Oyando.

Oyando later succumbed to injuries sustained during the assault. Police said the suspect was identified through CCTV footage captured at the scene.

During a search at his house, detectives recovered a military-style smoke jacket and a black backpack believed to have been used during the incident.

Authorities believe the suspect may be linked to a series of robberies both within Vihiga County and in neighboring areas. He was detained in police custody as investigations continue and is expected to be arraigned, police said.

Murder cases have been on the rise amid efforts to address the trend. Most cases are linked to land disputes and love triangles, police investigations show.

Police say some of the cases are lying unsolved amid efforts to address them.