By Andrew Kariuki and Peter John
Grief and outrage have gripped residents of Lugari Constituency in Kakamega County following the discovery of the body of Munyuki PAG Secondary School Principal, Simon Isiaho Shange, days after his mysterious disappearance.
The mutilated body was recovered on the morning of Saturday, November 8, floating in River Kipkaren, several kilometres from where his wrecked car was earlier found along the Eldoret Malaba Highway. The principal had been reported missing since Monday, November 3, after he was allegedly involved in a road accident.
According to police, the vehicle was discovered abandoned at the scene, but the principal was nowhere to be found, raising public concern and prompting a search that ended in tragedy. His remains have since been taken to a nearby mortuary pending a postmortem examination.
The discovery sparked protests in the area, as enraged residents, students and teachers stormed Lumakanda Police Station, accusing officers of laxity in handling the case. The demonstrations turned violent, with property destruction reported before police dispersed the crowds to restore order.
Western Region Police Commander Issa Mohamud confirmed the incident, saying detectives are exploring all possible angles, including foul play.
“We are pursuing all leads to establish whether this was an accident, drowning or a criminal act. A team of experts has been assigned to the case,” he said.
The tragedy has also taken a political turn after Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera distanced himself from social media claims linking him to the principal’s disappearance and death. Through his lawyer, Danstan Omari, Nabwera had on Saturday 8,November, 2025 threatened legal action against three bloggers; George Opunga Tamata, Peter Amunga and Simon Asievela accusing them of spreading false and defamatory allegations.
In demand letters dated November 7 and 8, Omari said the posts shared on platforms such as Malava Online and Kakamega Post falsely implicated the MP in the incident and alleged that he had been intimidating the principal. The lawmaker is demanding public apologies, retraction of the posts and Ksh 20 million compensation from each blogger within 12 hours as of 8th November 2025, failure to which defamation suits will be filed.
“Our client maintains that these statements are false, inaccurate, and politically motivated to tarnish his reputation following his recent election as ODM Kakamega County Chair,” Omari said in a press briefing. He added that Nabwera has also instructed him to write to the DCI demanding that investigations into the principal’s disappearance and death be expedited.
Meanwhile, the education fraternity has expressed anger over the killing. KUPPET Kakamega County Chair Johnston Wabuti warned that teachers may disrupt the ongoing KCSE examinations if no progress is made in the investigations.
“If there is no clear report on what happened, we shall withdraw all principals and demonstrate from Tuesday,” he said.
Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula also condemned the killing, calling for swift action.
“We want to be told what happened from the accident scene to the river. Whoever is responsible must be arrested – no one is above the law,” Savula said.
As investigations continue, the death of the respected school principal has left the Lugari community in mourning, with calls for justice growing louder amid speculation over the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death.
