Police are investigating an incident where a retired Magumoni chief was found dead under unclear circumstances near his maize farm.
The 80-year-old Eustice Mutegi’s body was on Wednesday found lying lifeless in the Muchatha area near Mukkuni about two kilometres away from his home in Magumoni Ward, Chuka Igambang'ombe constituency in Tharaka Nithi county.
Doreen Mukami, a resident said she was shocked when she heard the former chief’s body was lying in a nearby farm.
“We are yet to know if there were physical injuries caused by beating or what may have happened to him. She could at first talk but as we sort family contacts to take him to the hospital, we realized he was no longer breathing,” she said.
Chuka OCPD Paul Kuria said the administration could not ascertain the real cause of his death until a post-mortem is conducted on his body.
“We are sad to have found the body but for now we cannot tell what may have caused his death. DCI officers have taken preliminary investigations at the scene. We have seen bruises in his body an indication he may have been attacked. We will follow on pathologist's report for further action to be taken,” Kuria said.
Witnesses said there were altercations at the scene of the incident.
Kuria called on area residents to unveil crucial information relating to the former administrator’s death to volunteer it.
Police took his body to Chuka Referral Hospital as investigations proceed.
