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Homicide unit on the spot amid rise in murder cases

Up to two murder cases are reported daily, which leaves police struggling.

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by CYRUS OMBATI

Nairobi29 October 2024 - 09:45
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In Summary


  • Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said there has been a slight increase of murder cases in the past months.
  • He said a comparative analysis of murder cases reported from August to October for the years 2022-24, indicates a slight increase.

Family members of Wari Daud and Khalid Hussein

Detectives are scrambling to address the rising rate of murder cases amid claims of an underfunded police force.

Up to two murder cases are reported daily, which leaves police struggling.

Whereas some have been solved, the bulk remain unsolved for long.

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said there has been a slight increase of murder cases in the past months.

He said a comparative analysis of murder cases reported from August to October for the years 2022-24, indicates a slight increase.

In 2024, 339 murder cases have so far been recorded, compared with 336 cases in 2023 and 341 cases in 2022.

Director of Directorate of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin said they can stop murders where they have prior information on the plans.

“This is something one plans to commit or can happen in some circumstances, which none can prevent. Unless we have prior information, it would be difficult to stop the same,” he added.

Amin said they are determined to address the cases reported to them so far.

A fully-fledged homicide unit is equipped with staff and equipment to help in solving the incidents.

In 2022, there were 3,056 cases of homicide, 3,281 in 2021, 3,111 in 2020, 2,971 in 2019 and 2,856 in 2018.

The homicide unit seems to be overwhelmed with the rise of the cases.

The latest tragedy involves the Wells Fargo human resources manager Willis Ayieko whose body was found dumped in a stream at the border of Siaya and Kakamega counties in Yala on October 21.

Ayieko’s eyes were gouged out, his his ears chopped off. 

His family, who saw the body moments after it as discovered, said the killers also tortured him.

Police said the body was decomposed when it was discovered by a student.

It had bruises on the face and stomach indicating it was dragged on a rough surface. 

Ayieko, 52, whose pistol was also stolen, was a licensed gun holder, according to the Nyanza regional criminal investigations officer Lenny Kisaka.

The motive of the murder is yet to be established neither has any suspect been arrested.

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