Raila, lobby groups demand action after six bodies retrieved from dumpsite

Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga has condemned the mystery of six mutilated female bodies retrieved at a dumpsite in Kware, Mukuru Kwa Njenga slums.

Odinga, condoling with the families of the deceased, likened the incident to a very “dark moment for Kenya,” calling for immediate action.  

“It’s a sad and dark moment for Kenya, what we have witnessed in Mukuru Kwa Njenga, pains me deeply. The perpetrators of these and other heinous acts must face the full force of the law immediately,” he said.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) yesterday confirmed all the retrieved bodies were female, and were severely mutilated in different stages of decomposition.

The bodies were wrapped in polythene bags and reinforced with ropes.

The Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA) alluded the incident to Sexual and Gender-based Violence, and brutality against women, which they say is a big concern in the country.

“The discovery of these bodies is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing pattern of violence against women that has been escalating in our country. This incident is unacceptable. Women and girls in Kenya must be assured and guaranteed of their protection and safety,” FIDA chairperson Christine Kungu said.

The lobby has called on authorities to speed up investigations into the killings and hold those found guilty accountable.

“The Government must leave no stone unturned to ensure these barbaric acts do not go unpunished.”

The Standard has learnt that Head of Homicide Martin Nyuguto is this morning leading an exercise to retrieve more bodies from the dump site, accompanied by the Recce squad, and a team from DCI. 

The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has given the acting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja 21 days to investigate the matter and submit a report.

President William Ruto was yet to comment on the incident, now in its second day of retrieval.