The discovery of nine mutilated bodies in an abandoned quarry near Nairobi has prompted Kenya’s police watchdog to investigate potential police involvement. The bodies, found in Mukuru, a cluster of slums south of the capital, were discovered less than 100 meters from the Kware police station.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) reported that the bodies, wrapped in bags and secured with nylon ropes, exhibited “visible marks of torture and mutilation.” The victims include seven females and two males.
Kenyan police are currently under intense scrutiny following recent anti-government demonstrations that resulted in multiple fatalities. Human rights organizations have accused the police of using excessive force during these protests. In the wake of the crackdown, Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome resigned, as announced by the presidency.
Given the proximity of the bodies to the police station and existing allegations of police misconduct, the IPOA is conducting preliminary inquiries to ascertain any potential police involvement in the incident. The agency has urged the police to conduct immediate and thorough forensic investigations to identify the victims.
Miriam Nyamuita, an activist with the Mukuru Community Justice Centre, noted that most of the bodies were in a state of decomposition, with only one appearing relatively “fresh.” Nyamuita expressed uncertainty about whether the deaths were connected to the recent protests or were cases of femicide, given the predominance of female victims.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission has called for a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause of the deaths and to hold the perpetrators accountable. The organization emphasized that the government must take responsibility for this crime.
The demonstrations were sparked by President William Ruto’s proposed tax hikes in a new finance bill. Although the tax increases have been scrapped, protesters continue to demand Ruto’s resignation and accountability for police violence during the protests.
