Body of 30-year-old man retrieved from Machakos river

An unidentified body of a man has been retrieved from Mto Wa Mawe River in Athi River, Machakos County.

Athi River South subcounty police commander Philis Muthoni said the body was retrieved after it was seen floating on Friday. 

The matter was reported to the Athi River police station as a drowning incident report on Friday at 9.30 am.

"It was reported by the assistant chief Kanaani sublocation, location Ms Patricia Mwanza, that there was a body seen floating in the Mto Wa Mawe River. The scene was visited by the area OCS and his team together with the DCI personnel and CSI," Muthoni told the Star on the phone hours after the body was retrieved.

"The body of an unknown African adult was retrieved with bruises around the face."

Muthoni said police processed the scene and removed the body to the Nairobi Funeral Home (formerly City Mortuary), awaiting an autopsy and identification.

She said the Mavoko subcounty fire brigade assisted in the body's retrieval.

The police boss said the deceased's age was estimated at 30 years. She said neither identification documents nor a suicide note were found at the scene.

Muthoni said they had launched investigations into the incident.