Boy found dead in Kakamega sugarcane plantation
Police in Matungu Sub-County, Kakamega County, are investigating the murder of a 17-year-old boy whose body was discovered in a sugarcane plantation with an axe lodged in his head.
The body of Paul Wanjala was discovered on October 10, 2026, inside a sugarcane plantation, police said.
According to police, a team of officers who visited the scene found the teenager lying on his back with an axe stuck on the right side of his head.
The discovery was reported at around 6:30am, prompting police to visit and process the scene.
Wanjala’s mother, told police that her son had taken dinner with his friend before leaving to sleep.
She said she was informed the following morning that her son had been found dead.
Detectives processed the scene and recovered the axe, which was taken as an exhibit to assist in investigations.
The body was subsequently moved to St Mary’s Hospital Mumias mortuary, where it is being preserved pending a post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death.
Police investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death and identify those responsible.
And police in Gem Sub-County, Siaya County, have launched investigations into the killing of a 26-year-old man who was allegedly beaten to death during a night vigil following a confrontation over a stolen mobile phone.
James Okongi Khatika was found dead on October 10, 2026, along a murram road in Marenyo Sub-location, approximately 10 metres from the homestead of the late John Okumu Opondo, where the vigil had been held.
According to police the matter was reported at around 6am by Joram Oluchiri, the deceased’s uncle, who resides in Ebukoolo Sub-location in neighbouring Vihiga County.
The Officer Commanding Yala Police Station, accompanied by the Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer (SCCIO) for Gem, visited the scene and found the body lying by the roadside.
Preliminary investigations indicated that Khatika had attended the night vigil on Friday, October 9, when a confrontation reportedly erupted between mourners who had travelled from Kisumu town and a group of three individuals associated with the deceased.
The dispute allegedly arose after one of the visitors accused the group of stealing his mobile phone.
Police said the confrontation escalated into a physical assault, during which Khatika was allegedly beaten inside the homestead before his body was dragged outside and left along the road.
The deceased had multiple bruises and severe swellings across his body, which investigators suspect were inflicted using a blunt object.
Detectives also identified fresh bloodstains within the homestead, where the alleged assault is believed to have occurred. The scene was processed to preserve evidence that could assist in the investigation.
The body was moved to Yala Level IV Hospital mortuary, where it is being held pending a post-mortem examination.
Police also picked up three family members from the funeral gathering to assist with investigations as detectives work to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing.
Investigations are ongoing, with police seeking to establish the sequence of events that led to the fatal confrontation and identify those responsible for the death.
