A night-time raid by suspected thieves at a gold leaching site in Migori County ended in the brutal murder of a security guard after the gang’s alleged attempt to steal processed carbon was thwarted.
The incident occurred on the night of June 25–26, 2026, at a gold leaching site in Hera Remo area, police said.
According to police, a group of about seven armed suspects stormed the site intending to steal carbon used in gold extraction. The facility was being guarded by two watchmen, identified as Thomas Samoei Tumuka, about 30, and Rober Meja, about 25.
Investigators said the attackers overpowered both guards and took them hostage.
Tumuka was left under the watch of one gang member while the rest forced Meja to accompany them to the carbon storage house.
One suspect reportedly entered the storage facility through an opening in the roof, broke the carbon chamber grills and began loading the carbon into five sacks as others kept watch outside.
Tumuka managed to overpower the suspect guarding him, escaped and raised the alarm, prompting the gang to flee.
They abandoned the five sacks of stolen carbon but escaped with Meja, whom they abducted to an unknown location.
A search involving police officers and members of the public later led to the discovery of Meja’s body about one kilometre from the gold site.
Police said the deceased had both hands tied behind his back to a guava tree, while his legs were also bound. His face had been taped, and he had visible injuries on the left side of the forehead, with blood oozing from his right knee.
Officers from Masara Police Station, led by the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) and detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Suna West processed and documented the scene.
The body was moved to Migori County Referral Hospital Mortuary, where it awaits a post-mortem examination.
Police have launched investigations and are pursuing the suspects behind the killing. No arrests had been reported by Friday.
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