By Andrew Kariuki
Residents of Ngurubani, Soweto and Thiba areas in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, were left in shock after the body of a man was discovered in River Thiba on Saturday morning.
The body, believed to be that of a man aged about 50, was found beneath a bridge along the Mwea–Embu highway by locals going about their daily activities.
Boda boda operators’ chairman in Mwea, Michael Kariua, alerted traffic police officers stationed near Ngurubani Primary School, who responded and secured the scene.
Residents have raised suspicions of foul play, noting that the body appeared clean and the deceased was well dressed, suggesting he may have been killed elsewhere before being dumped in the river.
The case took a significant turn after detectives answered a phone found on the deceased. The caller, who identified herself as the man’s wife, said she was calling from Naromoru in Nyeri County in search of her missing husband. Authorities later confirmed that the deceased was a resident of Naromoru.
“This is very disturbing. People are being killed and their bodies dumped in Kirinyaga,” said local businessman John Maina. “We are shocked and saddened and demand justice for the deceased and his family.”
Kariua also called for thorough investigations, urging police to establish what happened and bring those responsible to justice.
Another resident, Maina Simba, expressed concern over rising cases, saying the area was increasingly becoming a dumping ground for bodies.
The body has since been moved to Kerugoya Hospital mortuary, where it awaits formal identification by family members.
Police have yet to issue an official statement on the incident as investigations continue. Residents have called for increased security patrols in the area.
