Detectives have arrested a farm worker after the body of his colleague, who had earlier been reported missing, was exhumed from a shallow grave on a farm in Itabua, Embu County.
The deceased was identified as Lawrence Murimi Njiru, a 29-year-old farm worker employed at a farm in Gichobirori Village, Itabua Location, police said.
The discovery was made on Wednesday during a follow-up investigation into a missing person report that had been lodged at Itabua Police Station after Njiru disappeared under unclear circumstances.
A multi-agency team comprising the Sub-County Security Committee, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Scenes of Crime officers and public health officials revisited the farm and established that the missing worker had been buried in a shallow grave within the property.
Investigators found that a banana stem had been planted over the grave in an apparent attempt to conceal the burial site.
The body was exhumed, and a preliminary examination revealed multiple deep cut wounds to the head, a stab wound on the lower back and a broken right wrist, indicating the deceased had sustained serious injuries before being buried.
Crime scene officers documented and processed the scene before the body was transferred to Embu Level Five Hospital Mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
Police arrested another farm worker employed on the same farm as the deceased. Detectives said the suspect is assisting with investigations into the murder.
Investigations are ongoing to establish the motive and whether any other suspects were involved.
The incident has shocked residents, who are calling for those responsible to be brought to justice. Police said the motive remains unclear.
Meanwhile, police in Migori County have arrested a 25-year-old man in connection with the death of his 68-year-old grandmother following a domestic dispute in Nyankongo Village, Ntimaru Sub-County.
The suspect was arrested after the incident, which occurred at about 2 a.m. on Wednesday.
According to a police report, the suspect allegedly quarrelled with his grandmother, Magasi Mwita Giriago, before attacking her with a traditional wooden stool.
Police also alleged that he stabbed her in the mouth with a knife, inflicting severe injuries.
The woman was rushed to Ntimaru Sub-County Hospital for emergency treatment before being referred to Migori County Referral Hospital.
However, she died while being transferred to the referral facility.
Police officers visited the scene and documented the incident.
The suspect is being held in police custody as detectives complete investigations ahead of his arraignment in court.
The body was moved to Wima Mortuary in Kegonga, where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination.
Police have not disclosed the cause of the dispute, and investigations are ongoing.
