Charcoal burner targeted and killed in Kilifi

A 78-year-old man was found dead after a suspected murder on the shores of Koromi River, Magarini, Kilifi County.

The decomposed body of Charo Kapombe Jefwa was found lying along the shores of Koromi River days after he had gone missing.

The deceased was a charcoal burner in the area.

His relatives said he had left his Ulaya Ndogo village on February 10 for charcoal burning but did not return home.

A search party comprising of family members was dispatched to look for him, and the body, which was decomposing, was found lying naked in a dry pool of blood, with a deep cut on the left side of the face. His clothes were found two meters from the body, police said.

It is believed he was targeted and killed in the bushes by those opposed to his activities.

The body was moved to the Malindi sub-county hospital morgue for preservation, awaiting autopsy.

Elsewhere in Harambee, Matungu, Kakamega County, the lifeless body of John Oluguru, 56 was found lying on the road face down in a pool of blood, with a sharp knife still stuck in the chest.

The body had no other visible physical injury.

A pig belonging to the deceased was killed by a slit on the throat about three meters from the body.

The motive of the murder remains unknown, police said.

The body was moved to the mortuary pending autopsy and investigations.

Police said they are investigating murder in the saga.

And in Navakholo’s Shikomari sub-location, a suspect was lynched by a mob in a failed robbery on a homestead.

Police discourage mob lynching and want suspects to be surrendered to authorities for processing.

Witnesses and police said his left hand was chopped off at the wrist, and his left leg was chopped off at the ankle.

He was rushed to Kakamega Referral Hospital where he succumbed to injuries on arrival.

The body was moved to the same hospital mortuary awaiting identification and autopsy.

Police are investigating the incident.