Police in Makueni County launched investigations after the burnt body of an unidentified middle-aged man was discovered along a rough road near Lukenya Farm in Nzaui Subcounty.
The body was found on October 9, 2026, by a resident of Kijiji Village, police said.
According to police, preliminary investigations indicated that the man had been subjected to tyre necklacing before his body was set on fire during the night of October 8–9 by unknown assailants.
The body was burnt beyond recognition, with investigators suspecting that petrol had been used to set it ablaze.
Police visited the scene and documented evidence.
Investigators recovered a bottle containing suspected petrol, charred remains, a box containing blood samples and pieces of burnt tyre debris.
The remains were later moved to Kilome Mortuary, where they are being preserved pending formal identification and a postmortem examination.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the suspected murder and the motive behind the killing, as efforts continue to identify the deceased and apprehend those responsible.
Elsewhere, police in Tharaka North Subcounty, Tharaka Nithi county, are investigating the death of an unidentified man whose body was found lying on a footpath in Ngomano Village.
The body, believed to be that of a man aged about 50, was discovered in Kamaguna Sub-location on October 9, 2026.
According to a police report, Maragwa Location Chief William Kwenga alerted Gatunga Police Station about the incident by phone at around 1.40pm.
The man had no visible physical injuries, and police said no identification documents were found on him.
The scene was processed and documented before the body was moved to Marimanti Level Four Hospital mortuary, where it is being preserved pending a postmortem examination.
Police investigations are ongoing to establish the man’s identity and determine the cause of death.
Meanwhile, a man suspected of stealing livestock was killed by members of the public in Kisii South Subcounty after being intercepted in a vehicle believed to have been linked to the theft of a cow.
The incident occurred on Saturday, October 10, 2026, in the Kerina Police Station area after residents began tracking a cow reportedly stolen from the area.
According to police, a man reported the theft at around 6 am, prompting efforts to trace the missing animal.
Members of the public tracking the stolen cow intercepted a white Toyota Probox, on suspicion that it had arrived to transport the stolen animal.
A chief reportedly attempted to escort the vehicle's driver and the suspect to Kerina Police Station.
However, he was overpowered by the crowd, which assaulted the suspect, killing him before setting the vehicle on fire.
Police found the body of an unidentified adult man lying approximately 10 metres from the burnt vehicle.
The deceased had visible injuries to his neck, while a sisal rope was found tied around his waist.
The body was moved to KTRH mortuary, where it is being held pending a post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death and assist in identification.
Police investigations are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing, the suspected livestock theft and the destruction of the vehicle.
The incident highlights the dangers of mob justice, with authorities expected to pursue those involved in the killing and the burning of the vehicle.
