Tensions flared in Wajir County as relatives of Yussuf Hussein Ahmed, the missing Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Della Anole Ward, staged protests after identifying his mutilated body.
Yussuf, who had been missing since September 13, was found dead in the Lake Yahud area, more than a month after his abduction.
In a video circulating online, distressed family members and locals can be seen shouting and running in groups, expressing their outrage and sorrow.
Police officers attempted to control the crowd, taking guard in the area and trying to disperse the demonstrators.
The body of the MCA was identified by his family at a local mortuary, where it was discovered with signs of severe torture, extensive burns, and evidence of brutal beatings.
Witnesses reported that the body was badly decomposed, with the victim's eyes gouged out, sparking widespread shock and grief among the local community.
Ahmed’s abduction had remained a mystery since he disappeared over a month ago, and the lack of clarity over who was behind the gruesome murder has fueled tensions.
The discovery of Ahmed’s body comes after the High Court had directed the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to protect key witnesses in the ongoing investigation into his abduction.
Justice Alexander Muteti had also ordered a report on the progress of the case to be presented on October 7.
However, police investigations have yet to provide clear leads, with CCTV footage from the time of the abduction still missing from several critical locations.
Senior Superintendent of Police Justus Imaana noted that they had obtained two CCTV footages but were still making requests for additional footage.
He also shared that a request to the Internet Crime Complaint Centre (IC3) for further assistance had been denied.
As police continue their investigation, the people of Wajir are left mourning a beloved leader and demanding answers for the brutal killing.